Failure to Ensure Safe and Sanitary Food Storage and Preparation
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to follow safe and sanitary food storage and preparation practices. Specifically, an open plastic bag of frozen salisbury steaks was found stored in an open carton box in the freezer, rather than in a sealed plastic bag. Additionally, an open box of hot rice cereal was left on the kitchen countertop without an open date label and was not stored in a sealed bag or container. The Dietary Manager (DM) was observed placing the frozen steaks into a plastic bag and returning them to the freezer, and discarding the rice cereal box after noting it was not properly stored or labeled. Interviews with kitchen staff, the DM, and the Registered Dietician (RD) confirmed that open frozen foods should be stored in sealed bags to maintain freshness and prevent contamination, and that open dry food items should be labeled with an open date and stored in sealed containers. The facility's policy and procedure on food storage and handling required all food items to be properly labeled, dated, and stored in airtight containers, which was not followed in these instances.