Failure to Maintain Proper Food Storage and Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain frozen foods at or below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, as required by professional standards. During an observation of the walk-in freezer, the internal thermostat was found to be reading 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and multiple frozen food items were soft to the touch. Internal temperatures of various food items, including raw ground beef, chicken thighs, sausage patties, diced turkey, meatballs, fish squares, and hotdog franks, were all above the required freezing temperature, with some items reaching as high as 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The Dietary Manager noticed the malfunction upon arrival and reported it to the Maintenance Assistant and Administrator at different times that morning. Additionally, during a lunch meal tray line observation, a dietary staff member was seen using a soiled hand towel from a food preparation table to wipe a thermometer probe before checking the internal temperatures of food items. This staff member stated he had not received training from the Dietary Manager, who later indicated that orientation training had been provided but not documented. These practices had the potential to affect the safety of food served to residents.