Failure to Label and Date Opened and Prepared Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure that food items in the kitchen were properly labeled and dated when opened or prepared. During an inspection of the kitchen's refrigerators and freezer, multiple items were found without required labeling or dating, including two opened containers of sour cream, trays of prepared fruit cups and sliced pears, a tray of sweet potato pie slices, a tray of dessert with whipped topping, and opened containers of ranch and Italian salad dressings. The dietary aide present confirmed that these items should have been labeled and dated according to facility policy and standard food safety practices. Further interviews with the Dietary Manager revealed that the facility's process required all food items to be labeled and dated before being placed in the refrigerator, and that prepared fruits and desserts were to be labeled and discarded within three days. Review of facility policies and storage charts confirmed these requirements, specifying timeframes for labeling and discarding various food items. The failure to label and date these food items had the potential to affect all residents consuming food from the kitchen.