Improper Food Storage and Lack of Hair Restraints in Food Service Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store and refrigerate food items at safe temperatures and did not ensure staff wore appropriate hair restraints in food preparation areas. During a lunch meal service, a bin of apricot and applesauce cups was found unrefrigerated and warm to the touch in the galley serving area, with measured temperatures of 70.2°F for applesauce and 50°F for apricot slices, both above the required maximum of 41°F for cold foods. The fruit cups had been prepared earlier that morning and left unrefrigerated until discovered by the surveyor, while 40 residents waited to be served in the dining room. Additionally, during an initial kitchen tour, a staff member was observed leaving the food preparation area without wearing a required hairnet, despite clear signage mandating hair restraints. These deficiencies were confirmed through direct observation and staff interviews, with the lack of proper food storage and failure to follow hair restraint protocols discussed with facility leadership. The report does not mention any specific medical history or conditions of the residents involved, but it does note that the deficiencies were evident during both the initial kitchen tour and meal service observations.