Meals Not Served at Palatable Temperatures Due to Use of Disposable Containers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were enjoyable and served at palatable temperatures, as required, due to the use of disposable Styrofoam containers for meal service. Surveyors observed that breakfast and lunch meals were being served in Styrofoam boxes, and multiple residents reported that the food was not hot and did not taste good when served in these containers. The use of disposable containers was observed to occur multiple times per week, affecting the palatability and temperature of the food. Three long-term residents, all with intact cognition as indicated by their BIMS scores, were interviewed and confirmed ongoing dissatisfaction with the temperature and taste of meals served in Styrofoam containers. One resident, who was vegetarian and ate fish, stated they had stopped eating facility food and relied on food brought by family due to the poor quality and temperature of meals. Another resident, who was receiving supplemental oxygen, reported that food was not hot and did not taste right when served in disposable boxes. The Resident Council president also confirmed that the issue had been raised multiple times in council meetings, with several residents expressing similar concerns. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that staffing shortages led to the use of Styrofoam containers, particularly during breakfast and dinner when staff called off. The manager admitted that maintaining appropriate food temperatures was difficult with disposable containers. Facility documentation required hot foods to be held above 135°F and cold foods below 41°F at the point of service, but the use of Styrofoam containers and staffing issues interfered with compliance. The administrator was made aware of the ongoing concerns and the frequency of the issue, as well as the repeated reports from the Resident Council.