Food Safety and Sanitation Deficiencies in Kitchen and Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to food safety and sanitation standards as evidenced by multiple observations during a kitchen tour and meal service. Expired food items, including two large containers of cream cheese past their expiration date and an undated open container, were found stored in the refrigerator. Additionally, a container of chicken broth was dated but not properly labeled with a use-by date. Freezers were found to be in unsanitary condition, with food debris present in all units, a broken plastic container with dried/frozen residue, ice build-up, and a damaged freezer door seal. These conditions were not in compliance with the facility's own policies regarding food storage, labeling, and sanitation. During meal service, improper food handling practices were observed. A staff member was seen holding plates of food against a dirty uniform while cutting pork tenderloin for multiple residents, and handled a serving utensil with bare hands after it fell into a pan of potatoes, then continued to use the same utensil to serve food. The Certified Dietary Manager confirmed that these actions were inappropriate and not in line with facility policy, which requires the use of gloves or utensils when handling ready-to-eat foods and mandates proper sanitation procedures. These deficiencies were identified during a survey with a facility census of 43 residents.