Deficiencies in Food Storage, Labeling, and Staff Hygiene in Dietary Department
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies in the facility's Dietary Department related to food storage, labeling, and staff hygiene practices. During an initial tour, opened food items such as salmon patties, chicken tenders, and hamburger patties were found in the walk-in freezer without proper labeling, dating, or sealing, leaving them exposed to air. Additionally, expired food items, including pork gravy and coleslaw, were found in the reach-in refrigerator, both labeled with expiration dates that had already passed. The Dining Services Director confirmed that facility policy required labeling, dating, and sealing of opened food products, as well as discarding expired items, but these procedures were not followed. Further observations revealed that two dietary staff members, including the Dining Services Director, were working in the kitchen with facial hair that was not properly covered by beard restraints while handling food. On a subsequent observation, the Dining Services Director was seen wearing a beard restraint that did not fully cover his mustache. Both the Director and the facility's Registered Dietitian acknowledged the need for proper facial hair coverage in the kitchen, but staff failed to consistently implement this requirement.