Failure to Label, Date, and Properly Store Opened Food Items and Remove Dented Cans
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow facility policies regarding the labeling and dating of opened food items in both the dry storage area and the walk-in refrigerator. Observations revealed multiple opened food items, including a five-pound bag of egg noodles, a packet of ham slices, a container of chopped lettuce, a bag of parsley, an open box of instant mashed potatoes, two open bags of grits, and an open package of gravy mix, all lacking required labels or open dates. Additionally, a large can of Northern Beans with a dent on the bottom seal was found stored on the food storage rack, and it was confirmed that the can had been used to prop open a door and was returned to storage after being dented. Interviews with the Director of Dietary (DD) confirmed that staff did not consistently label or date opened food items as required by facility policy. The DD acknowledged that the can of beans should not have been returned to storage after being dented and that the labeling and dating of food items were not being properly enforced. The DD also stated that he did not expect staff to date individual items stored in a clear plastic bin under the food preparation table, although there was no label on the bin itself. Another dietary staff member confirmed that he did not remove any stickers from the bin and did not notice any labels present.