Failure to Maintain Walk-In Freezer in Safe Operating Condition
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the walk-in freezer in safe operating condition, as evidenced by multiple observations of ice buildup and physical damage. During an initial kitchen tour, condensation was noted on the lower half of the freezer door, the baseboard was lifted and bent, and the tile flooring was cracked along the baseboard. Ice was present on the floor, lower back shelves, and on pipes near the condenser. These issues were consistently documented in the Registered Dietitian's sanitation audits from January through June, which noted a torn freezer seal, ice buildup, a loose threshold, and a door that did not close tightly. In June, the audit described the freezer as 'snowing.' Interviews with the Kitchen Supervisor and Maintenance Director confirmed ongoing awareness of these issues. The Kitchen Supervisor reported that ice in the freezer reappears within two hours of being cleaned and that maintenance is regularly informed about the pipe at the ceiling. The Maintenance Director stated that the freezer is defrosted monthly and that coils and condensers are wiped down, but acknowledged the presence of gaps and cracked tiles. The FDA Food Code was referenced, indicating that physical facilities should be maintained in good repair.