Failure to Maintain Kitchen Sanitation and Proper Food Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain proper cleanliness and sanitation in both the main kitchen and basement storage areas, as well as to properly date and store food products to prevent foodborne illness. Observations included mixing bowls and warming pans not being inverted, brown staining and standing water behind the hand washing station, paper debris and discarded gloves on the floor, and food items in the walk-in coolers and storage rooms that were either not labeled with dates or were past their expiration dates. Additional issues included caulking peeling from the ceiling in the spice storage room, streaking on the walls in the dry storage room, and packaging materials discarded on the floor. Further inspection of the basement kitchen storage areas revealed water dripping from the ceiling, puddles on the floor, crumbling ceiling material, and debris present. The basement freezer contained paper debris and food items that were not properly labeled. These findings were confirmed by the Dietary/Facility Manager and the Nursing Home Administrator during interviews, acknowledging the failure to maintain cleanliness, sanitation, and proper food storage practices as required by facility policy.