Deficient Food Storage, Preparation, and Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, and serve food under sanitary conditions as required by policy and professional standards. During multiple observations, surveyors found expired and improperly labeled food items in the walk-in refrigerator, including a bag of cut carrots past its use-by date, unsealed and undated packages of cheese, chicken, pork, ham loaf, and boiled eggs, as well as sealed roast beef without a use-by date. Staff interviews confirmed that food should be sealed and labeled with open and use-by dates, but staff were unable to determine how long some items had been stored. Additionally, chemicals such as surface sanitizer were stored next to food products, and staff were observed entering the kitchen without appropriate hair coverings beyond designated areas. Food preparation practices were also found to be unsanitary. Staff were observed handling food and food-contact surfaces with soiled hands or gloves, failing to wash hands after touching their faces or other potentially contaminated surfaces, and placing raw meat near clean trays, resulting in cross-contamination. Staff did not consistently sanitize surfaces or utensils after contact with raw meat, and food was sometimes placed next to dirty items on counters. Staff interviews confirmed that these actions were not in line with facility expectations for food safety and sanitation. During food service, cold foods were repeatedly found to be held at temperatures above the facility's policy of 41°F or lower, with milk, juice, desserts, and salads measured at unsafe temperatures. Staff failed to properly sanitize thermometers between uses, and utensils previously touched with soiled hands were placed back into food containers. Staff also entered the kitchen and handled food without washing hands or donning hairnets as required. These actions and inactions placed residents at risk for consuming expired or contaminated foods and potential exposure to food-borne illness.