Failure to Properly Store and Label Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food safety in the kitchen. During an initial kitchen tour, ham was found in the refrigerator past its use by date, and potatoes were stored in a container without a label or date. The Dietary Manager confirmed that the ham was one day out of date and acknowledged that it should have been discarded on the expiration date. She also explained that the potatoes had been labeled and dated, but the label became unreadable due to moisture and was not replaced. The Dietary Manager stated that both she and the cooks were responsible for ensuring proper labeling and removal of expired food, and that daily checks of the fridge were conducted, but she was unsure how the expired ham was missed. Further interviews with dietary staff confirmed that the fridges were checked daily for expired food and that all food items should be labeled and dated when prepared. The Administrator stated that all food items were expected to be labeled, dated, and discarded upon expiration, with the Dietary Manager responsible for oversight. Review of the facility's food storage policy indicated that open packages of food should be stored in closed containers, labeled, and dated, and that perishable refrigerated items should be dated once opened and used within seven days.