Failure to Follow Food Safety Standards During Meal Preparation and Service
Penalty
Summary
Staff in the facility's kitchen failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety during food preparation and serving. Observations revealed that a staff member, while wearing gloves, handled various items including utensils, milk, and bread, and placed meat and bread into a food processor. The same staff member was seen tearing bread with gloved hands and, during meal service, both she and the Dietary Manager handled bread and plates with gloved hands, touching multiple surfaces without changing gloves between tasks. The Dietary Manager also handled bread and plates, then pushed trays across the counter, and continued to handle food items without changing gloves. Further observations showed that the staff member changed gloves several times but did not wash her hands between glove changes, despite handling utensils, bread bags, and ready-to-eat food. The staff member acknowledged awareness of the correct procedure, stating she knew food should not be touched if other surfaces had been contacted with gloves on. The Dietary Manager confirmed that food should not be touched under these circumstances. These actions were not in compliance with the FDA Food Code 2022, which requires single-use gloves to be used for only one task and discarded when soiled or when an interruption occurs.