Failure to Maintain Safe Temperatures in Walk-In Refrigerator and Freezer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the walk-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer were functioning properly, as observed during a kitchen tour. The walk-in refrigerator was found to have an exterior temperature of 50°F and an interior temperature of 55°F, with condensation noted on stored items such as produce, pasteurized eggs, juices, and thawed meats. The walk-in freezer was observed with an exterior temperature of 38°F and an interior temperature of 40°F, and foods inside, including breakfast foods, vegetables, meats, and ice cream, were not frozen and were soft to the touch. Photographic evidence was submitted to document these findings. Interviews revealed that maintenance staff had been aware for some time that the temperatures in both units were not within acceptable ranges, but repairs had not been completed. Review of temperature logs for the walk-in refrigerator and freezer showed recorded temperatures within acceptable ranges, which did not match the actual observed temperatures during the survey. The facility's Food Storage Policy required refrigerators to be maintained at 41°F or below and freezers at 0°F or below, with daily temperature recordings and internal thermometers, but these requirements were not met at the time of the survey.