Failure to Properly Label and Store Food Items in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to follow proper food labeling and storage practices in the kitchen, which could affect all 141 residents receiving food from this area. During an initial kitchen tour, it was found that cartons of thickened lemon-flavored water in the milk cooler were not sealed and either lacked an opened date or had an outdated opened date. In the reach-in refrigerator, several salad bowls and plates were labeled inconsistently, with some missing use-by dates and others exceeding the facility's stated three-day use period for salads. Staff interviews confirmed that salads should be used within three days and that proper labeling is required for resident safety. The Dietary Manager and Cook both acknowledged the importance of labeling and discarding food items according to policy to prevent serving expired food to residents. The facility's policy requires opened food items to be labeled with an opened-on date and disposed of once expired. At the time of the survey, there was at least one resident who required honey-thick water, highlighting the need for strict adherence to food safety protocols. The failure to consistently label and dispose of food items as per policy was directly observed and confirmed by staff.