Failure to Monitor and Maintain Safe Food Temperatures During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure continued monitoring of internal food temperatures as required by its policy, which states that all hot food items must be cooked, held, and served at a temperature of at least 135 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures properly recorded prior to each meal service. During observation, kitchen staff loaded and served trays to residents in two hallways, with the last tray served containing over-easy eggs measured at 107.2 degrees Fahrenheit, well below the required temperature. The eggs were placed on the tray directly from the grill without an internal temperature check, and staff were unaware of the eggs' temperature prior to service. Resident council meeting minutes previously indicated concerns with food being served late, and while food logs showed temperatures taken at the beginning and end of service, there was no evidence of temperature monitoring during the meal service. The resident who received the eggs had no complaints and consumed the meal.