Deficient Food Handling: Improper Thawing, Temperature Control, and Bare Hand Contact
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure food was prepared, stored, and served under sanitary conditions, as evidenced by improper thawing of potentially hazardous foods, failure to maintain proper food temperatures, and dietary staff handling ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Specifically, frozen raw hamburger was left out at room temperature overnight to thaw and subsequently used to prepare a meal for residents. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the meat was not thawed using approved methods, and the temperature of the meat was not properly checked or documented before it was served. The facility's own policies and the Missouri Food Code require that potentially hazardous foods be thawed under refrigeration or with running water at safe temperatures, but these procedures were not followed. Additionally, the facility did not consistently monitor or document food temperatures during meal service. Review of kitchen temperature logs revealed that staff often recorded only initial cooking temperatures and failed to document holding temperatures for multiple meals over several days. Observations showed that food items on the steam table were not kept at the required temperatures, with some items measured below the minimum safe hot-holding temperature. Staff interviews indicated a lack of understanding regarding the correct temperature requirements and documentation procedures, with some staff believing that the steam table would bring food up to temperature rather than ensuring it was already at the correct temperature before serving. Furthermore, dietary staff were observed handling ready-to-eat foods, such as hamburger buns, hamburger patties, cheese slices, and bread, with their bare hands during meal preparation and service. This practice is contrary to both facility policy and the Missouri Food Code, which require the use of gloves or utensils to prevent direct hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. Staff interviews revealed confusion about glove use, with at least one staff member stating they were told not to wear gloves when handling resident food, though they could not recall who provided this instruction. Facility leadership confirmed that bare hand contact with resident food is not permitted.