Failure to Label and Date Food Items in Kitchenettes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards of food safety and sanitation by not properly labeling and dating food items in all three kitchenettes. Observations revealed multiple instances of opened and ready-to-eat food items, such as thickened liquids, yogurt cups, soda, salad dressing, garden salad, cake, and mandarin oranges, that were either undated, unlabeled, or stored beyond their expiration dates. The facility's own policies require that all resident food and beverage items stored in unit kitchenettes be clearly marked with the resident's name and the date the item was placed in storage, and that foods brought in from outside be labeled and dated by staff. Additionally, the FDA Food Code mandates that refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety foods held for more than 24 hours be clearly marked with a consume-by date. Despite posted reminders in each kitchenette, staff did not consistently label or date food items, as confirmed by the Food Service Director. Items such as thickened liquids were not dated upon opening, and several food items were found in refrigerators past their manufacturer’s expiration dates. The lack of proper labeling and dating of food items represents a failure to follow both facility policy and federal food safety standards, increasing the risk of foodborne illness among residents who are considered high risk.