Multiple Sanitation and Food Safety Deficiencies Identified in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple failures in the facility's kitchen related to food safety and sanitation. During an initial tour and interviews, it was observed that an opened bag of chicken nuggets in the walk-in refrigerator was not labeled or dated, and there was no box to identify when the bag was received or opened. The facility's policy required all food items in storage to be labeled and dated, and this was verified as a deficiency by staff. Additionally, the heated plate lowerator was found to be unclean, containing dirt, a fork, a foil, and later a spoon, with these findings confirmed by the Dietary Services Supervisor (DSS). The DSS stated that maintenance was responsible for cleaning and disassembling the lowerator monthly, but the equipment was not clean at the time of inspection. Further observations revealed a thick ice build-up on the interior plastic lining near the door of the walk-in freezer, which was verified by staff. The surveyors also found that the metal drainpipe under the dishwasher extended below the flood level rim and into the drainage inlet, lacking the required air gap for backflow prevention as outlined in both the FDA Food Code and the facility's own policy. These deficiencies were confirmed by both the DSS and the Maintenance/Housekeeping Director. The report notes that 91 of 98 residents received food prepared in the kitchen where these issues were identified.