Improper Disposal of Garbage in Kitchen Area
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly dispose of garbage and refuse in the kitchen area. Specifically, a kitchen utility cart with an attached garbage can was found overflowing and uncovered, positioned near clean dishes and a food preparation area. The garbage can was approximately 2-3 feet from the food prep table where food was present, and clean cups were located nearby. The garbage remained in this state for at least 10 minutes during the observation, and no dietary staff were actively using the garbage container at that time. Multiple staff interviews revealed inconsistent understanding and practices regarding garbage disposal, with some staff acknowledging that garbage should be covered and kept out of the kitchen, while others, including the District Director of Operations and Dietary Manager, stated that uncovered garbage containers were allowed in the kitchen and did not require lids. The facility's own policy, revised in September 2021, requires that all trash be contained in leak-proof containers and covered during meal service to prevent cross-contamination. Despite this, staff interviews indicated that in-service training on garbage disposal had occurred, but staff could not recall specific dates or details. The Interim Administrator stated that garbage should not be near food prep areas or the stove, and acknowledged the potential for attracting flies if garbage was overflowing near food. However, the Dietary Manager and District Director of Operations did not consider the presence of uncovered, overflowing garbage in the kitchen to be an issue, and did not respond to questions about the potential for unsanitary conditions or negative outcomes.