Failure to Properly Label and Store Food Items
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. During a kitchen inspection, multiple food items in dry storage and refrigerators were found without proper labeling, including missing food descriptions, open dates, and use by dates. Specific items included bowls of cereal, bags of chips, containers of beans, glasses of liquid, and various thickened beverages, some of which were not labeled according to manufacturer instructions or facility policy. Additionally, a pan of Jello with fruit was found uncovered and unlabeled. These findings were corroborated by interviews with dietary staff and management, who acknowledged the lapses in labeling and monitoring. The dietary manager and weekend supervisor both stated that all dietary staff were responsible for ensuring food was labeled correctly and disposed of when needed, and that monitoring was done through spot checks. The dietary manager attributed the failure to staff being nervous and not thorough, while the registered nurse noted a lack of education or need for reeducation as contributing factors. Review of facility policy and FDA Food Code confirmed the requirement for proper labeling and timely disposal of perishable items, which was not consistently followed in this instance.