Failure to Use Beard Restraints During Food Preparation
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that nutrition services staff with facial hair were not wearing beard restraints while monitoring the temperature of hot foods in the kitchen. Specifically, one staff member had facial hair on the chin measuring approximately 1.5 inches long by 2 inches wide, and another had facial hair extending from in front of the ears down to the chin, both visibly long and dark. The facility's dress code policy required beard guards for facial hair longer than 1/2 inch, but state regulations and the WI Food Code require all facial hair to be covered, regardless of length. These observations indicated that food was not being stored, prepared, distributed, and served in accordance with professional standards designed to prevent foodborne illness, potentially affecting all 68 residents in the facility.