Improper Food Storage and Expired Items in Kitchen
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 two separate walk-throughs of the kitchen, multiple food items in the walk-in freezer, walk-in refrigerator, and dry food storage room were found open to the air, including boxes of bulk frozen peas, omelet replacements, omelets, dried mashed potatoes, and baking soda. Additionally, several food items in the dry storage room were found to be past their use by or best used by dates, such as apple cider vinegar, baking powder, yeast, Worcestershire sauce, and Maltomeal. During an interview, the Dietary Manager confirmed that the Corporate Dietitian conducted quarterly kitchen audits, which included inspections of the refrigerator and dry storage areas. The findings from these audits were shared with the Dietary Manager, the Administrator, and the Director of Nursing, and were used to educate kitchen staff about sanitation and proper food storage. Despite ongoing education, the facility did not ensure that all food items were properly stored and within their use by dates, resulting in the observed deficiencies.