Failure to Maintain Food Safety and Sanitation Standards in Kitchenette
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to adhere to professional standards of food safety and sanitation in the unit kitchenette. Specifically, a glass food storage container filled with pasta and meat sauce was found on top of the microwave, undated, unlabeled, and at room temperature. Additionally, the refrigerator contained multiple brown and pink sticky splatters on the floor, and the shelves in the door had brown spills and splatters on the wall, shelf floor, and in the corners. These conditions were not in compliance with the FDA Food Code and the facility's own procedures, which require proper labeling, dating, and storage of food, as well as regular cleaning of equipment and physical facilities to prevent the accumulation of soil residues. During an interview, the Food Service Manager confirmed that dietary staff are responsible for stocking and cleaning the kitchenette at the beginning and end of their shifts, and that deeper cleaning is referred to the maintenance department. The FSM acknowledged that both the refrigerator and refrigerator/freezer units required cleaning and that food should not be left on top of the microwave, but instead labeled, dated, and stored appropriately. No specific residents were identified as being directly affected in the report.