Failure to Label and Store Food Items According to Safety Standards
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain proper food storage and labeling practices in the food and nutrition services department. During an initial tour, a tray of seven thawed 4-ounce nutritional shakes was found in the walk-in refrigerator with a defrost date of June 5, 2025, despite the manufacturer's label specifying the product must be used within 14 days of thawing. As of the observation date, the shakes had been thawed for over six weeks, exceeding the recommended use period. Additional observations included a one-gallon container of salad dressing and a one-gallon container of BBQ sauce, both opened but lacking dates of opening, making it impossible to determine their viability. A 32-ounce carton of liquid eggs was also found opened and undated, despite manufacturer instructions requiring use within three days after opening. During interviews, the Food Service Director confirmed that all food and beverages are expected to be labeled, dated, stored, and thawed according to food safety standards. The absence of opening and thawing dates on multiple food items prevented staff from determining whether products were still safe to use, representing a failure to follow federal food safety standards and manufacturer guidelines. No information about specific residents or their conditions was provided in the report.