Failure to Store and Label Food Items Properly in Nourishment Rooms
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that food products in two nourishment rooms were not stored and maintained in a safe and sanitary manner. Specifically, five chocolate milks with expiration dates that had already passed were found in the refrigerator, along with a Tupperware container and a bag of sandwiches that were both undated and unlabeled. Additionally, a 20-ounce cup half full of liquid was found without a label or date, and two fortified nutritional shakes were also undated. These observations were made during routine checks of the nourishment rooms. Interviews with facility staff revealed a lack of clarity regarding responsibility for labeling and dating food items. The Certified Dietary Manager in training was unaware of who was responsible for ensuring all food was properly dated and labeled. The Administrator stated that nursing staff should be responsible for dating and labeling food items in the nourishment rooms, while the kitchen is responsible for dating the shakes. The Regional Food Service Manager indicated that dietary staff are responsible for cleaning the refrigerators and freezers daily, but the facility is responsible for dating and labeling food items. Review of the facility's policy confirmed that staff are required to label foods with the resident's name and current date when food is intended for later consumption.