Failure to Monitor Dishwasher Sanitization and Properly Label and Discard Food Items
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to consistently monitor and document dishwasher sanitizing temperatures, as required by policy. Specifically, there were multiple missing temperature checks for various meal periods over several days in July. Kitchen staff acknowledged forgetting to check and record the temperatures, and confirmed that these checks are required three times daily after each meal to ensure proper sanitization of dishes and utensils. The Dietary Manager also confirmed that logs were not reviewed for missing entries due to staff shortages and being assigned to other duties. Additionally, the facility did not properly label or discard food items according to established guidelines. Inspectors found open food items in the freezer without labels indicating when they were first used, and several items in the refrigerator that were past their use-by dates. Staff admitted to forgetting to check and discard expired food, and to label opened items with the appropriate dates. Facility policies require that food be labeled with open and discard dates, and that items be discarded by their use-by dates to prevent serving spoiled food.