Failure to Ensure Proper Hand Hygiene During Food Preparation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper hand hygiene was practiced by dietary staff during food preparation and distribution. Observations revealed that one dietary staff member, after touching a disinfectant dish cloth and wiping a food prep table, did not wash or sanitize his hands before proceeding to handle food and food containers. He placed his fingers inside a silver container and then transferred pureed hashbrowns into it without performing hand hygiene. Another dietary aide was observed touching her clothing and then placing her fingers inside multiple cups and meal trays without washing or sanitizing her hands. Both staff members were not wearing gloves during these activities. Interviews with the involved staff confirmed that they were aware of the expectation to wash hands after touching contaminated items such as clothing or cleaning cloths, and acknowledged the possibility of transferring germs to food or food contact surfaces. The facility's policy, consistent with the 2017 Food Code, requires handwashing with soap and water in the kitchen after touching contaminated items or between tasks. The dietary manager and district director of operations both stated that staff are required to wash hands between tasks and after contact with contaminated surfaces, but the observed staff did not follow these procedures.