Failure to Ensure Timely Food Handler Certification for Dietary Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that dietary support staff completed a food handler's training course within thirty days of hire, as required by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulations. During observations in the main dining room and kitchen, several dietary aides and a cook were seen preparing and handling resident food. Interviews revealed that two dietary aides had been employed for three months but had not obtained their food handler's certificates. One aide was unaware of the requirement, and neither could provide a start date for the course. The cook confirmed the absence of a dietary manager for about a month, with the administrator currently overseeing dietary staff. The administrator acknowledged that two of the three dietary aides working did not have their food handler's certificates and confirmed the lack of a facility policy to ensure completion of this training. Review of documentation showed no certificates for the two aides in question. This deficiency affected all 80 residents currently residing in the facility, as all resident meals were prepared by the dietary staff who had not met the required training standards.