Failure to Ensure Palatable and Properly Heated Food Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food served to residents was both palatable and maintained at a safe, appetizing temperature. During a test tray observation and tasting, pureed fish and pureed bread were found to be bland and lacking in taste. The dietary manager acknowledged the issue after tasting the foods, and the registered dietitian confirmed that foods should be palatable and not bland. Facility policies require that resident food preferences be satisfied and that food acceptability be routinely monitored by both food service and nursing staff. Additionally, the temperatures of several hot food items, including regular fish, regular vegetables, pureed fish, pureed orzo, and pureed bread, were measured and found to be below the required 135 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of service. Both the dietary manager and the registered dietitian confirmed that hot foods should be served at or above this temperature, as outlined in the facility's policies and procedures for safe food temperatures. These deficiencies were identified during direct observation and interviews with facility staff.