Failure to Properly Label and Date Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store, label, and date food items in accordance with professional standards and the facility's own food storage policy. During an inspection of the kitchen cooler, several food items were found either not labeled, not dated, or past their recommended use-by dates. Specifically, hamburger patties, mayonnaise, juice, tortillas, and tomato soup were either missing labels or had dates indicating they were expired. Staff interviews confirmed that all kitchen staff were responsible for labeling and dating food, and that there was a posted list in the cooler specifying how long items could be stored. Staff also acknowledged that serving out-of-date food could result in residents being served expired or incorrect food items. Record review of the facility's food storage policy indicated that all food should be covered, labeled with the name, date stored, and date to be used or discarded, with a recommended use-by date of three days after preparation or purchase. The FDA Food Code was also referenced as applicable to these failures. The facility's failure to consistently label and date food items in the kitchen could result in expired food being served to residents, as confirmed by staff and administrative interviews.