Failure to Ensure Food Safety Standards in Food Preparation and Sanitation Testing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was prepared and served in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Observations revealed that dietary staff did not wear appropriate beard restraints while preparing various food items, including pork chops and coleslaw. Multiple staff members were seen with uncovered beards and mustaches during food preparation, and both staff and management acknowledged during interviews that beard restraints should have been used to prevent hair from contaminating food. Facility policy required the use of hair restraints, including beard restraints, to prevent hair from contacting food. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that chemical test strips used to check the concentration of sanitizing solutions were within their expiration dates. The Dietary Manager was observed using QT-40 test strips that had expired several years prior, and chlorine test strips that were also reported as ineffective and near or past expiration. Staff interviews confirmed that expired test strips were in use and that staff should have checked expiration dates to ensure accurate testing of sanitizing solutions. Facility policy required that chemical sanitizing solutions be maintained at correct concentrations, verified by periodic testing with appropriate test strips. These deficiencies affected all residents who consumed food prepared in the facility's kitchen, as the lapses in food safety practices and sanitation testing could impact the overall safety and quality of food service. The findings were based on direct observations, staff interviews, and review of facility policies and documentation.