Failure to Sanitize Food Thermometer Between Uses in Kitchen
Penalty
Fine: $24,850
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper sanitization of kitchen equipment, specifically food thermometers, during meal preparation for 70 residents. On observation, a cook was seen recording food temperatures by inserting a thermometer into multiple food containers, including Brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes, and sliced ham, wiping the thermometer with the same towel between each use rather than sanitizing it appropriately. The facility's policy requires all equipment and food contact surfaces to be cleaned and sanitized using heat or chemical sanitizing solutions. The Dietary Manager confirmed that the thermometer should have been sanitized between uses with an alcohol pad.