Failure to Provide Palatable and Properly Prepared Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food and drinks served to residents were palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature, as required by their policy. During a dinner service, the kitchen ran out of regular ground beef for the last six trays, prompting the Dietary Manager to use frozen hamburger patties, which were quickly cooked and seasoned without following the standardized recipe. The Regional Dietary Manager admitted that the meat was not weighed, seasoning was estimated, and the recipe was not followed. The resulting meal lacked required ingredients such as cumin, salt, onion, and toppings like shredded cheddar cheese and salsa. Food temperatures were measured and found to be below recommended serving temperatures for hot foods and above for cold items. State surveyors found the food bland and lacking in flavor during their taste test. Multiple residents reported dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as lacking variety, not tasting good, and being difficult to chew. Staff interviews confirmed that some residents routinely disliked the main entrée, particularly when chicken was served, and noted that the chicken did not look appetizing. The facility's policy and staff expectations were that menus and recipes should be followed as written to ensure consistent palatability, but this was not adhered to during the observed meal service.