Failure to Ensure Sanitary Food Preparation and Staff Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to adhere to safe and sanitary food preparation practices in the kitchen, as observed during meal tray assembly. Specifically, two dietary staff members with beards were not wearing beard nets, contrary to the facility's dress policy requiring hair and beards to be effectively restrained with appropriate hair restraints, including beard nets. Staff N, the Dietary Supervisor, stated that beard nets were not necessary if beards were trimmed short, despite both staff members having facial hair. Additionally, multiple instances were observed where Staff N did not perform proper hand hygiene when changing gloves. Staff N was seen putting on gloves without washing hands prior to food preparation, removing gloves without washing hands, and repeatedly donning new gloves without handwashing in between tasks. In interviews, Staff N acknowledged the facility's process required handwashing before applying new gloves and when changing tasks, but did not follow these procedures during the observed meal preparation activities.