Food Preparation and Sanitation Deficiencies in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to prepare and serve food in a sanitary manner in one of two facility kitchens. During observation, a cook was seen plating lunch trays with a beard and mustache, but only the beard was covered, leaving the mustache exposed. The cook acknowledged that both beard and mustache should be covered to prevent hair from falling into food but was unaware his mustache was not covered at the time. Another staff member was observed cooking fish filets and handling them with the same gloves used to operate the deep fry baskets, and admitted she should not have touched the resident's food with her hands after handling equipment. Additionally, a container of chicken salad was found on an accessory table with a temperature of 53 degrees, above the required holding temperature of 41 degrees or lower. Despite this, a sandwich was made from the chicken salad and served to a resident. The dietary manager confirmed that all facial hair should be covered, gloves should be changed before handling food, and food should not be served if it is above the safe holding temperature. The administrator and director of clinical services were made aware of these findings.