Deficient Food Storage and Labeling Practices in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple deficiencies in the facility's food storage and handling practices during a kitchen review. Opened containers of thickened lemon water in one refrigerator were found undated, and two pies with unknown white filling in another refrigerator were also opened, unlabeled, and undated. In the freezer, five bags of French fries were found without labels or dates, and cases of frozen egg products were stored below meat products, contrary to safe food storage protocols. In the dry storage area, several bags of crispy onions lacked received dates. These observations were confirmed through interviews and record reviews. The Dietary Manager (DM) stated she had been employed for about one and a half months and was responsible for checking for expired foods, as there was no reliable staff member for this task at the time. She acknowledged that cooks were aware of the requirement to label and date opened foods but admitted to overlooking certain items and noted that some foods had been present since before her employment. The DM also indicated that an untrained employee failed to label and date the pies. The facility's policy requires all foods in refrigerators or freezers to be covered, labeled, and dated, and for raw animal products to be stored separately and below ready-to-eat foods, which was not consistently followed.