Food Storage and Sanitation Deficiencies Identified
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve food in a safe and sanitary manner and did not ensure proper storage and labeling of food items in the main kitchen and resident pantries. Observations revealed that expired food products, such as seven bulk packages of instant potatoes, were present in dry storage, and a dietary aide was seen handling food on the tray line without wearing a required hair net or restraint. The Dietary Manager confirmed both the presence of expired food and the lack of appropriate staff attire during food service. Further inspection of resident pantries showed multiple sanitation and labeling deficiencies. The D Wing pantry refrigerator contained visible brown, red, and yellow substances on shelves and drawers, indicating a lack of cleanliness. In the A Wing pantry, a container of watermelon was found without a resident name and was past its use-by date, and an open carton of Med Pass supplement was also beyond its use-by date. Both the A Wing and Skilled Wing pantries had refrigerators with sticky substances on shelves, unlabeled and undated food items, and significant ice buildup in the freezers. Staff interviews confirmed these findings and acknowledged that food items were not properly labeled, stored, or discarded according to facility policy.