Failure to Ensure Dietary Staff Hold Current Food Handler's Certificates
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ sufficient dietary staff with the appropriate competencies and skills to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, as required by regulations. Specifically, three out of twenty kitchen staff members did not possess a current and valid Food Handler's Certificate. Two staff members hired in April did not have any Food Handler's Certificate on file, and a third staff member's certificate had expired in March. This was confirmed through record review and interviews with facility leadership and dietary staff. Interviews revealed that the Director of Culinary Services was responsible for ensuring all dietary staff had current Food Handler's Certificates but had not verified the status of these certificates upon assuming the role. The Director relied on a binder provided at the time of hire, which he did not review, and assumed all certificates were up to date. The Administrator and other leadership staff were aware of the missing certificates but had not taken steps to verify or ensure compliance. The Executive Chef and HR Director both confirmed that the responsibility for maintaining current Food Handler's Certificates rested with the Director of Culinary Services. The facility's own Food Safety Policy and the Texas Food Establishment Rules require that food service employees complete accredited food handler training within 30 days of hire. The lack of current Food Handler's Certificates among dietary staff was acknowledged by multiple staff members, including the Director of Culinary Services, the Administrator, and the Executive Chef, all of whom recognized the importance of this training for safe food handling and compliance with regulatory requirements.