Improper Food Handling Due to Inadequate Hair Restraints and Hand Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was protected from possible contamination during storage, preparation, and service due to improper use of hair and beard nets, as well as inadequate hand hygiene and glove use by dietary staff. Observations revealed that a dietary aide with substantial facial hair was not wearing a beard net while preparing uncovered plates of food, and when a beard net was eventually donned, it did not fully cover all facial hair. The dietary manager was also observed wearing a hairnet that did not cover all hair, specifically leaving bangs exposed, and did not correct the dietary aide's improper beard net use. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that hair and beard nets should be worn at all times in the kitchen and must fully cover all hair to prevent food contamination, but these protocols were not followed during food preparation and service. Further observations showed that the dietary manager did not follow proper handwashing procedures between glove changes. The manager was seen removing gloves and putting on new ones without washing hands, then continued to handle food and utensils. Additionally, the manager touched ready-to-eat food items, such as hamburger buns and grilled cheese sandwiches, with gloves that had become contaminated from previous tasks. Staff interviews consistently indicated that hands should be washed before donning new gloves and that failure to do so could contaminate food, but these procedures were not adhered to during the observed meal service. The facility's own policies, as well as the FDA 2013 Food Code, require strict adherence to personal hygiene, including the use of effective hair restraints and proper handwashing and glove use to prevent food contamination. Despite these requirements, both the dietary manager and dietary aide failed to comply with established protocols, and the dietary manager did not enforce corrective actions when improper practices were observed. The director of nursing confirmed that the dietary manager was responsible for ensuring compliance with these standards.