Failure to Properly Store, Label, and Date Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple instances of improper food storage, labeling, and dating in the facility's kitchen. Specifically, items in the walk-in refrigerator, such as bags of cream, ground beef, turkeys, glasses of milk and orange juice, and an open container of cranberry cocktail juice, were found either unlabeled, undated, or past their use-by dates. In the walk-in freezer, an open box of biscuits and an unlabeled, undated bag were noted. Additionally, cookies were found on the kitchen counter in an open bag without a date. These observations were corroborated by interviews with dietary staff and the dietary manager, who confirmed that all staff were responsible for ensuring food items were properly covered, labeled, and dated, and acknowledged that failure to do so could result in serving spoiled food. A review of the facility's Food Receiving and Storage Policy indicated that all refrigerated foods should be covered, labeled, and dated with a use-by date, and that repackaged foods should be stored in sanitary containers with clear labeling. The FDA Code was also referenced, highlighting the risk of pathogen contamination and growth in improperly stored food. The facility's failure to adhere to these standards placed all residents consuming food from the kitchen at risk of cross-contamination and food-borne illness.