Failure to Maintain Sanitary Conditions of Ice Machine
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, specifically regarding the cleanliness and sanitation of the dining room's ice machine. During observation, the ice machine's drip tray was found to have a buildup of grayish slime or mold and contained an old, used, and soaked paper napkin. The dietary staff member interviewed was unable to recall the last time the machine had been cleaned and sanitized and had to refer to the daily cleaning schedule log. The cleaning schedule indicated that the ice machine was supposed to be sanitized daily before each meal, but the log showed inconsistent cleaning dates over a two-week period. Interviews with staff, including the dietary staff and the administrator, confirmed that it was the responsibility of dietary, housekeeping, and administrative staff to ensure the beverage bar machines, including the ice machine, were kept clean and sanitized. The facility's policy required the ice machine to be cleaned and sanitized according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent food contamination and the growth of disease-producing organisms. The observed failure to maintain the ice machine in a sanitary condition placed residents at risk of food contamination and foodborne illness.