Failure to Properly Store Food and Control Personal Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly store food items in a manner that would prevent foodborne illness in the kitchen. During an observation with the Dietary Supervisor, five out of forty-seven apples were found to be spoiled, exhibiting wrinkled skin, bruising, broken skin, and a soft texture. Additionally, one out of sixteen onions was found flattened in a brown liquid with a foul odor. The Dietary Supervisor acknowledged that these items were not fit for consumption and should have been removed during routine inspections, as required by the facility's policy. The policy specified that produce should be inspected on Mondays and Thursdays, and any spoiled or damaged items should be immediately discarded. Further, the facility did not ensure that employees kept personal belongings out of the kitchen area. An employee's cellphone and keys were observed left unattended on a table near the refrigerator. The Dietary Supervisor confirmed that staff had been instructed multiple times to store personal items in lockers to prevent potential food contamination, and another cook confirmed that keeping cellphones in the kitchen was unsanitary and against facility policy. The facility's policy required all personal belongings to be kept in employee lockers.