Failure to Monitor Food Temperatures and Improper Storage of Opened Applesauce
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to consistently monitor and document food temperatures for 29 out of 153 meals served over a specified period, as required by their own policy and food safety standards. Observations and interviews revealed that while staff were expected to check and record food temperatures for each meal, there were multiple instances where this was not done, and the dietary manager acknowledged missing entries with no way to verify if food was served at safe temperatures. The facility's policy required daily temperature checks and documentation for each meal, but review of logs confirmed these procedures were not always followed. Additionally, the facility did not properly store opened applesauce used for medication administration. Opened cups of applesauce were left unrefrigerated on medication carts and used for extended periods, with staff unaware that opened applesauce is considered a potentially hazardous food and should be kept at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Three residents received applesauce that had been opened and left at room temperature for over 21 hours. The administrator was unaware of the need to refrigerate opened applesauce, and the facility's storage policy did not address proper storage of potentially hazardous foods.