Failure to Label, Date, and Discard Leftover Food Items
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly label, date, and discard leftover food items in accordance with professional standards. During a tour of the kitchen, it was found that several bags of leftover frozen food, including beef riblets, fish fillets, and mixed vegetables, had been removed from their original packaging and stored in the reach-in and deep freezers without any labels or dates. Additionally, in the walk-in cooler, items such as corn bread pieces, crescent rolls, and mini bagels were found with open dates exceeding the facility's 7-day discard policy, and some items showed visible signs of spoilage, such as white and blue fuzzy spots on crescent rolls. Interviews with dietary staff and the Dietary Manager confirmed that food items should be labeled and dated when opened, and items in the cooler should be discarded within 7 days. However, there was no designated staff member assigned to ensure these tasks were consistently performed, and staff turnover was cited as a possible reason for the lapses. The Administrator was unaware of the failure to label, date, and discard food items as required, despite expectations that staff follow proper procedures.