Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Handling and Hair Restraint Practices in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that food was not stored, prepared, and served under sanitary conditions in the facility's main kitchen. Specifically, a cook was seen pureeing food and preparing meal trays without a proper facial hair restraint, leaving his mustache exposed throughout food preparation and service. Additionally, the same cook failed to clean the thermometer probe between checking different food items. A dietary aide was also observed handling exposed, ready-to-eat foods with hair not fully contained under a hair restraint. These practices were witnessed during meal preparation and service, with both staff members directly handling food intended for residents. The facility's policy requires all dietary staff to wear appropriate hair restraints, including beard nets for facial hair, and to follow safe food handling procedures. The dietary manager confirmed these requirements during an interview and acknowledged observing the improper use of hair restraints but did not intervene at the time. The deficient practices had the potential to affect all 90 residents who received meals from the main kitchen, as all food for the facility is prepared and served there.