Failure to Maintain Kitchen Equipment and Food Storage Areas in Sanitary Condition
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's kitchen regarding the cleanliness and maintenance of equipment and food storage areas. Plastic containers were found stacked while wet on the clean dish rack, preventing proper drying. The knife storage rack contained two knives with missing metal chips and three knives with visible residue. A metal plate warmer with food debris was stored on the clean dish drying rack, and the can opener attached to the prep table had dried food debris on its blade. The steam table wells also had a buildup of debris at the bottom. Further observations revealed environmental issues in the food storage areas. The walk-in freezer had a buildup of ice on the vinyl strip curtains and floor. The walk-in cooler had rusted metal floors and walls, with the flooring separating. The condenser in the cooler was leaking, with a bucket placed below it containing gray stagnant water and additional water on the floor. These conditions were verified by the Dietary Manager during interviews and had the potential to affect all residents who consumed food by mouth, with the exception of three residents who did not consume food orally.