Failure to Properly Label and Store Dry Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its own policies and procedures regarding the storage and labeling of dry food items in the kitchen's dry storage area. During an observation with the Registered Dietitian (RD), several food items, including a bag of powdered cheese, gelatin mix, chocolate cake mix, breadcrumbs, and coconut flakes, were found either without an opened date or stored beyond the recommended storage period. Specifically, a bag of dried cheese powder dated 3/28/2025 was found to have exceeded its storage period, and multiple opened food items lacked labels indicating when they were opened. The RD confirmed that these items should have been dated upon opening to ensure proper rotation and timely disposal. Additionally, inconsistencies were noted between the delivery/received dates on storage bins and the individual food packages inside the bins, such as with pasta. The facility's policy requires that opened products be placed in containers with tight-fitting lids, labeled, and dated, and that stock be rotated according to specific timeframes for each product. The RD acknowledged the importance of correct dating for maintaining food quality and knowing when to discard items. These lapses in following established food storage guidelines had the potential to affect 113 out of 117 residents who receive food from the kitchen.