Improper Food Storage and Use of Expired Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
During a kitchen observation, surveyors identified that staff failed to store food in a sanitary manner, which did not comply with professional standards and the facility's own food storage policy. Specifically, an opened gallon of reduced-fat milk with an expiration date that had already passed was found inside a reach-in cooler. The Dietary Manager confirmed the milk was expired and was uncertain if it had been served during breakfast. Additionally, a container of Key Lime juice was found stored on a dry goods shelf, despite manufacturer instructions requiring refrigeration after purchase. The Dietary Manager acknowledged the juice was not stored according to these instructions. The facility's policy on food storage and labeling requires routine checks to identify and discard expired foods and to follow manufacturer guidelines for storage. During interviews, both the Dietary Manager and the Administrator confirmed awareness of the findings and acknowledged that the observed practices did not align with facility standards or policy requirements. No information was provided regarding specific residents affected or their medical conditions at the time of the deficiency.