Unsanitary Conditions in Main Kitchen Walk-In Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain the main kitchen walk-in refrigerator in a sanitary and safe condition, as required by professional standards and the facility's own policies. Specifically, the walk-in refrigerator had shelving with several areas of rust and extensive patchy areas of a raised yellow, powdery substance. There was also black powdery buildup on the refrigerator wall near raw onions stored in a mesh bag. Additionally, debris and spillage, including brown and black colored substances, were found underneath shelving that contained raw meat and/or poultry. The perimeter and corners of the floor had debris and black buildup. These conditions were confirmed during an interview with the Food Service Director, who acknowledged that the walk-in refrigerator should be kept clean and sanitary. The observations were made on two separate occasions, and the findings were consistent with violations of both the FDA Food Code and the facility's own sanitization policy, which require food to be stored in clean, dry locations and equipment to be cleaned at a frequency necessary to prevent the accumulation of soil residues.