Deficient Food Storage, Labeling, and Kitchen Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage and labeling practices, as evidenced by multiple observations of undated, unlabeled, and expired food items in the dry storage area, walk-in refrigerator, and resident refrigerator. Items such as open bags of pasta, cereal, and chips, as well as expired Jello mix and undated containers of sauces and dairy products, were found. Staff interviews revealed that food inventory audits were intended to be performed monthly, but expired and improperly labeled items were still present. Facility policy required all foods to be covered, labeled, and dated, but this was not consistently followed. Additionally, the facility did not maintain a clean kitchen environment. An oscillating fan, used to blow air on racks of drying dishes, was observed to have visible gray dust on its spokes and back, with no set cleaning schedule in place. Staff acknowledged the need for cleaning but indicated it was only done when noticed and as time allowed. The fan continued to be used in this condition, posing a risk of dust contaminating clean dishes. The kitchen floor drain was also found to be in poor condition, with a damp towel covering it at times and visible cracks and openings around the drain. Staff interviews and documentation confirmed that the drain had been in disrepair for over a year, with a known crack in the pipe and ongoing difficulties in securing repairs. The area around the drain was unsealed, and odors were sometimes noticed, further indicating a lack of proper maintenance and sanitation in the kitchen environment.