Failure to Serve Palatable Meals at Safe Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide residents with meals that were palatable, served at appetizing temperatures and textures, and that conserved nutritive value and flavor, as required by facility policy. Observations and interviews revealed that hot foods were often served below the required temperature, with a sample tray showing a hot dog at 118°F, below the minimum standard of 120°F, and salads and desserts served at improper temperatures. The dietary temperature logs were incomplete, with missing entries for vegetables and desserts, and staff admitted to not recording temperatures due to being busy. Additionally, the preparation of menu items did not always follow standardized recipes, such as the banana pudding being served without bananas or vanilla wafers due to lack of ingredients and no substitutions being made. Multiple residents reported dissatisfaction with the food, describing it as cold, undercooked, bland, and sometimes unidentifiable. Several residents stated that their meals were cold by the time they were delivered, and that food was often served without proper covering, resulting in dried-out meals. Observations confirmed that salads were limp and at room temperature, and desserts were not properly chilled. Residents also noted that condiments and margarine were not consistently provided with meals. Interviews with dietary staff and the Dietary Manager revealed inconsistencies in following recipes and food preparation procedures. The Dietary Manager acknowledged receiving complaints about cold food and described efforts to keep food hot, such as using plate warmers and domes, but was unable to explain delays in meal delivery. The staff also deviated from recipes, such as using more salad dressing than required, and failed to document food temperatures as expected. The Administrator stated that there were no instructions for the amount of salad dressing to use and was unaware of the extent of food temperature and palatability issues.