Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Palatable Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to ensure food and drink were served at palatable and safe temperatures for two of seven sampled residents. An anonymous complaint was received regarding food temperatures, and both residents interviewed expressed concerns about receiving cold food. During observation, a test tray was requested after all residents on the 200 wing had been served lunch. The test tray revealed that the Chicken Tetrazzini was served at 128.7°F, the cauliflower/broccoli at 130.5°F, and the milk at 50.5°F, all of which were outside the facility's policy requirements for safe food temperatures. Additionally, the cauliflower/broccoli was noted to be mushy and not palatable. Interviews with the residents confirmed ongoing issues with food temperature, with one resident stating that her eggs were often cold and another stating that the food was not always hot enough. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that the tray line was running late due to a new staff member in training, which may have contributed to the delay and subsequent drop in food temperatures. The Dietary Manager also confirmed that the temperatures recorded by the surveyor were below the required standards and that the food was not palatable due to temperature and texture issues.