Failure to Store and Prepare Food Under Sanitary Conditions
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances of improper food storage and preparation in the facility's kitchen. During an initial walkthrough, several open food items, including containers of Cheerios, rice cereal, raspberry syrup, oatmeal, and cornstarch, were found without labels or open dates. In the refrigerator, there were uncovered servings of cake, open cartons of liquid egg, heavy whipping cream, white milk, pitchers of orange and apple juice, thickened water, open containers of Greek yogurt past their expiration date, and various dressings and sauces, all lacking required labels or open dates. Additionally, a box of oranges was found sitting directly on the floor. These findings were in direct violation of the facility's policy, which requires opened or prepared foods to be placed in enclosed containers, labeled, dated, and stored properly. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Administrator confirmed that their expectations aligned with the facility's policy, specifically that dietary staff should date items when opened and ensure proper storage, including covering and labeling. The failure to follow these procedures was evident in the observed conditions, as numerous food items were not labeled, dated, or stored according to professional standards and facility policy. The facility had a census of 31 residents at the time of the survey.