Failure to Provide Palatable and Appetizing Food
Penalty
Summary
Residents reported that the food provided was bland, lacked seasoning, and that the meat served was too tough to cut or chew. During a Resident Council meeting, several residents expressed dissatisfaction with the palatability and texture of their meals, specifically noting the absence of seasoning packets on their trays and the difficulty in consuming the meat. Observations during a test tray review confirmed these concerns, as the baked breaded fish was found to be tough and rubbery, and both the steamed white rice and boiled zucchini lacked any discernible seasoning. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that no seasonings were used during food preparation and that salt and pepper packets were added to trays to accommodate individual preferences. The Dietary Manager was aware of ongoing concerns regarding the toughness of the meat and had previously communicated with the main hospital kitchen to address these issues. Despite these efforts, the sampled meal continued to exhibit the same deficiencies in texture and flavor as reported by the residents. The Administrator confirmed that the facility attempted to resolve food palatability concerns as they arose, but the observations and resident feedback indicated that the issues persisted at the time of the survey.