Food Storage and Sanitation Deficiencies in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies in the facility's food storage, preparation, and serving practices. In the dry storage area, several food items, including cases of soda cans and a large bag of flour, were stored directly on the floor. There were also unsealed bags of marshmallows, instant mashed potatoes, and a container of pinto beans not properly sealed. Several bottles of spices lacked both an opened date and expiration date. In the walk-in cooler, containers of drinks with straws were found without dates, and several food items such as broccoli, onions, pizza, shredded cheese, and mixed fruit were unsealed or undated. The walk-in freezer contained unsealed bags of biscuits, waffles, ground beef, and an unlabeled plastic container. Two refrigerators in the kitchen had unsealed roast beef and an open gallon of milk with no date. Additionally, several cooking pans had black debris, one frying pan was dented, and four cutting boards had multiple scratches. Interviews with the Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) and administrative staff confirmed that staff were expected to keep items off the floor, label and seal all food items, and maintain kitchen equipment in good working order. The facility's policies required proper storage, labeling, and dating of food items, as well as maintaining clean and organized kitchens and equipment. However, the observed practices did not align with these policies, resulting in food being stored and prepared under unsanitary conditions.