Failure to Follow Food Safety and Hygiene Protocols in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Staff in the facility's kitchen failed to follow required food safety and hygiene protocols during food preparation and storage. Observations revealed that two dietary aides were preparing and handling food without wearing hairnets or containing their hair, as required by facility policy. The dietary director confirmed that hairnets are mandatory at all times in the kitchen and acknowledged the lapse in compliance. Additionally, the kitchen was found to have an unlabeled and undated container of apple pie filling and an open, undated package of cheese slices in the refrigerator. Several food items, including a box of hamburger patties, a bag of rolls, and a box containing a turkey, were stored directly on the floor of the freezer, contrary to facility policy and food safety standards. The dietary director confirmed that all food should be properly labeled, dated, and stored off the floor, in accordance with the facility's food storage policy. The facility census was 99, with 98 residents receiving meals from the kitchen and one resident identified as NPO (nothing by mouth) and not receiving food from the kitchen. The facility's policies require food to be stored in clean, dry areas, at appropriate temperatures, and in a manner that prevents contamination, including the use of hair restraints by all food service employees. These deficiencies were identified during a complaint investigation.