Failure to Enforce Food Labeling and Storage Policy for Resident Food Brought by Visitors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to enforce its policy regarding the labeling and storage of food items brought in by family members or visitors for residents. During observations and interviews, it was found that multiple food items, including condiments such as ranch dressing, mayonnaise, and red salsa, were stored in the resident-designated refrigerator without being labeled with the resident's name or the date the items were opened and placed in the refrigerator. Staff interviews confirmed that the established procedure requires all such items to be labeled with the resident's name and date, and to be discarded after 48 hours, but this was not consistently followed. The deficiency was identified during kitchen inspections and interviews with dietary, nursing, and administrative staff, all of whom acknowledged the requirement for proper labeling and timely disposal of perishable food items. The facility's policy, last reviewed in January 2024, clearly states that food brought in by visitors must be labeled and stored appropriately to prevent the risk of food-borne illness. However, the observed failure to label and date these items as required placed residents at risk for consuming expired or spoiled food.