Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Storage and Equipment Cleaning
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures to maintain sanitary conditions in the facility's kitchen and food storage areas. During an inspection, a microwave oven was found with a bowl of uncovered green beans inside, along with old food debris spattered on the interior surfaces. The walk-in refrigerator unit had built-up dust and debris covering the blower vents. In the dry food storage area, unboxed packages of napkins were resting directly against the storage room wall without a protective barrier, and several syrup-based dessert sauce bottles had syrup residue caked on their lids while being stored on racks. Additionally, gnats were seen flying and landing on bread packages in the dry food storage room. Dietary staff confirmed that staff were expected to clean equipment and wipe down containers after use, and that kitchen staff were responsible for cleaning all surfaces after each meal service. The facility's policy required all food to be labeled and dated, and for cooking equipment to be maintained in a sanitary environment and stored to prevent contamination. These observations and staff statements indicated that the facility failed to follow its own policies and professional standards for food storage and equipment cleaning.