Deficient Food Storage, Kitchen Sanitation, and Meal Tray Removal
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly label and store food, maintain kitchen cleanliness, and ensure food safety standards were met during multiple kitchen inspections. Observations revealed that numerous food items in the reach-in cooler and on prep tables were not labeled with open or expiration dates, and some were left uncovered. There were also open containers of seasonings, an open cup of salt, and a bag of bacon bits without dates. A box of potatoes with gnats was found on a prep table, and flies were observed in the kitchen. The return vent near the stove was heavily dust-laden, and several steam table lids and fry baskets were covered in grease and food debris. The deep fryer was reported as non-functional for months, but no maintenance request was documented. Additionally, pitchers of tea and lemonade were left out without dates, and the stove top was dirty with old grease and food buildup. Dishwashing and sanitation practices were also deficient. The low-temperature dishwasher was operating below the required temperature for effective sanitation, and dish machine logs showed missing documentation for wash and rinse temperatures over several days. During meal service, a dietary cook was observed leaving her station, touching personal items, and returning to food service without changing gloves or washing hands. The dietary manager confirmed that these actions were against facility policy and could compromise hygiene and food safety. Meal trays were left in resident rooms for extended periods, with several residents found with breakfast trays still present hours after meal service. Some residents were cognitively impaired, while others were cognitively intact. The facility did not have a policy specifying time frames for tray removal, and both the infection preventionist and administrator acknowledged that trays should be removed promptly to prevent potential illness. No foodborne illnesses were documented in the facility's infection log at the time of the survey.