Unsanitary Food Storage and Handling Practices Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to prepare and serve food under sanitary conditions, as required by professional standards and facility policy. During inspections of the main pantry and two satellite kitchens, they found a dented can of refried beans, bags of carrots with significant frost accumulation, and hash browns without a date. In the satellite kitchens, there were bags of hot dogs—one with an expired date and another with no date—as well as additional bags of carrots with frost. The mini freezer temperature logs were not maintained for several days, and upon re-inspection, the logs still had not been updated. Additionally, neither of the two kitchens had foot-activated trash cans available, contrary to sanitary best practices. Interviews with administrative staff confirmed that staff were expected to date food items when opened and discard outdated items, and that freezer temperatures were to be checked and logged daily. Facility policy also required that food items be checked, dated, and stored properly, and that food from dented cans or with abnormal appearance be discarded immediately. The observed failures to follow these procedures resulted in unsanitary food storage and handling practices, placing residents at risk for foodborne illness.