Deficient Food Storage, Labeling, and Sanitation in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was properly labeled, stored, and prepared in a sanitary manner, as well as to maintain cleanliness in food service areas, as required by facility policies. During a kitchen tour, surveyors observed multiple expired and unlabeled food items, including thickened juice concentrate, frozen chicken, bread, canned goods, snack cakes, and breadcrumbs. Some items lacked received or expiration dates, and expired products were found in both refrigerated and dry storage areas. The facility's policies required date marking and regular checks by dietary staff, but these procedures were not followed. In addition to food storage issues, the kitchen environment was found to be unsanitary. Surveyors observed dead insects, cobwebs, dirt, dust, and possible rodent feces in the dry pantry. A fan blowing toward the three-compartment sink was covered in dust and dirt, and a vent was also found to be dirty. The shelf above the sink was cluttered and dirty, and appliances such as the microwave, griddle, and ovens were visibly soiled with food residue and grime. The breaker box near the steamer was open and covered in a brown substance, and the kitchen floor and ceiling tiles were stained, dirty, and in disrepair. Additional surfaces, such as the stainless-steel dish crate storage and pipes beneath the dishwasher, were also found to be unclean. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and Administrator confirmed the surveyors' findings. The Dietary Manager acknowledged responsibility for ensuring proper labeling and disposal of expired food, as well as maintaining cleanliness, but admitted that these tasks had not been adequately performed. The Administrator stated that staff had not maintained a clean environment and that equipment was in poor condition despite being relatively new. The deficiencies had the potential to affect nearly all residents receiving an oral diet.