Expired Milk Not Removed from Kitchen Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that expired milk was present in both the walk-in and reach-in refrigerators in the facility's kitchen. Specifically, one opened gallon of whole milk with a use by date that had already passed was found in the reach-in refrigerator, and in the walk-in refrigerator, one unopened gallon, one opened gallon of whole milk, and one individual carton of 2% milk were all found with expiration dates that had already passed. These expired items were available for use in food preparation and as fluid milk for residents. Interviews with the Dietary Manager revealed that dietary aides were responsible for daily checks of expired food, with the manager also conducting follow-up checks. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that he had overlooked the expired milk during his last inspection. The Administrator confirmed that the expectation was for daily checks and for food to be used on a first-in, first-out basis, and stated that the expired milk should have been removed on its expiration date.