Expired and Improperly Stored Food Found in Facility
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly store and discard expired food items in accordance with professional standards and facility policy. During a walk-through of the kitchen and nourishment areas, several expired food items were found, including four bags of carrots, a bag of English muffins, a loaf of bread, and a carton of nutritional supplement. Additionally, a sheet pan containing pork was found in the walk-in cooler with foil loosely covering it, exposing the contents to air. The pork was dated several days prior to the observation. Interviews with the Dietary Manager confirmed the presence of expired foods and the improperly wrapped pork. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that all staff were expected to check food stock daily to remove expired items and that unit refrigerators were to be checked weekly. Review of the facility's policy indicated that expired items must be discarded on the expiration date and not used for consumption, and that food should be rotated using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Despite these policies, expired and improperly stored foods were present in areas accessible for resident consumption.