Deficient Food Storage and Labeling Practices
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances where food items were not stored according to professional standards and facility policy. In the main kitchen and dining areas, several opened food items, such as dry milk, tortillas, cereals, bread, ground turkey, deli ham, sauces, and dressings, were found without proper labeling, dating, or sealing. Additionally, pitchers of drinks in the dining room were not labeled, dated, or kept on ice. The employee refrigerator lacked a lock, and some food items were past their use-by dates. These findings were confirmed by dietary management staff. Further deficiencies were identified in the dementia unit's refrigerator/freezer and nourishment pantries. Opened ice cream, sandwiches, and beverages were not labeled or dated, and some sandwiches were not properly sealed. Snack baskets and other food items in the nourishment pantries were also found without open or use-by dates, and some items were not sealed. Food serving and preparation utensils were stored in drawers with handles not facing the same direction, contrary to facility policy. These issues were confirmed by nursing assistants and LPNs present during the survey.