Improper Food Storage and Expired Items in Food Service Areas
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly store, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. In the dry food storage room, individual containers of honey mustard dressing labeled 'keep refrigerated' were found stored in a cardboard box on a shelf at room temperature. Staff from dietary services confirmed that these dressings should have been refrigerated and would need to be disposed of due to improper storage. Further inspection of the pantry area in the resident dining room revealed additional issues. A plastic container of shredded cheese with an expiration date that had already passed was found in the refrigerator. On the counter, a bin of individual honey mustard dressings, also labeled 'keep refrigerated,' was left unrefrigerated. A half loaf of bread and individual packages of chocolate chip cookies were also found with expiration dates that had already passed. Staff members acknowledged that these items were expired or improperly stored and needed to be discarded.