Improper Storage and Use of Expired Food Items
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store and manage food items in accordance with professional standards and its own policies. During an observation in the dry food storage room, an uncovered bowl of dry cereal was found on a tray labeled with dates that had already passed. The Dietary Manager (DM) discarded the cereal upon discovery, acknowledging it was past its use-by date. Additionally, in the facility basement, six cans of corned beef hash with expired dates and a box of canned pulled chicken with an expired date were found. These items were part of the emergency food supply and were not labeled, which the DM stated was necessary to prevent them from being circulated for resident consumption. Interviews with the DM and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that expired and improperly stored food items could be present in the facility's food supply. The DM admitted that expired food in the emergency supply was being discarded slowly and recognized the risk of foodborne illness from consuming such items. The DON also acknowledged the potential for residents to experience symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and even botulism from expired canned foods. Review of the facility's policy indicated that opened dry food items should be tightly closed, labeled, and dated, which was not followed in these instances.