Failure to Maintain Freezer Temperatures at Required Levels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain kitchen freezer #1 and freezer #2 at the required temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below while storing various food items, including hashbrowns, whipped topping, french fries, assorted vegetables, and sweet potato fries. Observations on multiple occasions showed that freezer #1, located outside the storeroom, had internal thermometer readings of 12 degrees F and 10 degrees F, while freezer #2, located inside the storeroom, also showed temperatures above the required range at times. The Dietary Manager (DM) explained that staff had been moving items to accommodate new food deliveries and had been opening the freezers for breakfast preparation, which contributed to the elevated temperatures. Interviews with the DM and the Registered Dietitian (RD) confirmed that the freezers should be maintained at 0 degrees F or below, as per facility policy revised in November 2024. Both acknowledged that failure to maintain proper freezer temperatures could result in food spoilage, which, if served, could negatively impact residents' health. The facility's monitoring logs indicated that temperatures are checked in the morning and afternoon to prevent food from entering the danger zone, but the observed temperatures did not meet the required standards during the survey.