Deficient Food Storage, Kitchen Maintenance, and Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's food storage, preparation, and kitchen maintenance practices. In Refrigerator #1, a plastic bag containing a light brown round food item was found without a date or label. In the pantry, the wall beneath an air conditioner showed a large gray stain, peeling paint, and a baseboard pulled away from the wall, with a towel pushed against it. There was also a hole in the wall with protruding sheetrock, and a bin containing potatoes with rotten areas and sprouts. Additionally, a cup was found stored inside the sugar bin. Further inspection of the kitchen area revealed that the ceiling under the air conditioning duct was stained, buckled, and secured with brackets, with towels wedged between the vent hood and duct. Five air conditioning vents were observed with gray dust buildup, and one vent had condensation dripping onto the kitchen floor, while another had a black substance present. Interviews with the Maintenance Supervisor and Dietary Manager indicated a lack of clear responsibility for reporting and addressing maintenance issues, cleaning vents, and ensuring proper food labeling and storage. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that all dietary staff were responsible for dating and labeling food, removing rotting food, and not leaving scoops in bulk food items, but these practices were not consistently followed. The Executive Director of Operations (EDO) confirmed that opened foods should be dated and labeled, and that the Dietary Manager was ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance. The EDO also stated that scoops should not be stored in food items, and that any food with signs of aging or decay should be discarded. The EDO noted that the wall and ceiling damage should have been reported and repaired, and that condensation from vents could pose a fall risk. Facility policy review supported the need for proper food labeling, storage, and sanitation, but these standards were not met as evidenced by the survey findings.