Failure to Follow Pureed Food Preparation Policy and Recipe
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that pureed food was prepared according to established methods that preserve nutritional value and follow approved recipes. Observations revealed that the cook responsible for preparing pureed lemon broccoli did not measure ingredients or follow the facility's approved recipe, instead using unmeasured amounts of bread, broccoli, and apple juice. The cook also did not use the specified thickening agents or portion sizes outlined in the facility's policy and recipe. This resulted in meals for all seven residents on a pureed diet being prepared without adherence to nutritional guidelines or consistency standards. Interviews with the cook and dietary manager confirmed that dietary staff were not trained to follow recipes when preparing pureed food and that it was common practice not to use recipes. The dietary manager acknowledged that staff do not follow recipes, despite facility policy requiring them to do so. The deficiency affected all residents on a pureed diet, as their meals were not prepared in accordance with the facility's policy or approved recipes, potentially compromising the nutritional adequacy of their diets.