Failure to Maintain Proper Food Storage and Staff Hygiene in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its dietary policies regarding personal hygiene and food storage in the Main Kitchen. Observations revealed that dietary staff did not consistently wear required hair or beard restraints while in food preparation areas, with one employee only donning a hairnet after the surveyor's arrival and another with a beard not wearing a beard net because they were locked in the manager's office. Additionally, uncovered equipment such as the industrial food mixer and slicing machine were noted in the food preparation area. Food storage practices were also found to be deficient. Multiple food items in the main cooler, including deli meats, cheeses, pureed foods, butter, and prepared omelets, were wrapped or stored without proper labeling or dating. Some items were past their use-by dates, and a ceiling fan was observed leaking condensed water onto food items. In the freezer, an open box of fish filets was left exposed to air, a personal drink was stored on a shelf, and boxes of food were stacked directly on the floor. These findings were confirmed by facility leadership during interviews.