Failure to Provide Palatable and Attractive Food to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food served to residents was palatable, attractive, and met expectations for taste and presentation. Multiple residents reported dissatisfaction with the meals, describing them as bland, lacking flavor, repetitive, and unappetizing. Specific complaints included breakfast being tasteless and monotonous, with eggs served daily that were described as dry and flavorless. These concerns were voiced by several residents during interviews conducted on the same morning. In response to these complaints, a test tray evaluation was conducted during a lunch service, with participation from the registered dietician (RD), dietary manager (DM), and surveyors. The green beans served as an alternate vegetable were found by surveyors to be unappealing in appearance, lacking color, overcooked, and without flavor. Both the DM and RD agreed with these assessments, with the DM noting the green beans were mushy and flavorless, and the RD stating they did not look appetizing enough to taste. Review of job descriptions for the cook and RD confirmed their responsibilities included ensuring appealing food presentation and monitoring food acceptance, which were not met in this instance.