Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve food that was palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature, as observed during meal service and confirmed through interviews and record reviews. Food items such as oatmeal, grits, pureed bread, pureed sausage, and pureed egg were served below the minimum required temperature, with some items significantly under the standard. The dietary staff checked food temperatures on the service line after the last meal was served, revealing several items below the required 135 degrees Fahrenheit. The dietary manager admitted to only occasionally checking tray temperatures and not documenting these checks, while the cooks only recorded temperatures before service, not after food was plated or delivered to residents. A resident with moderate intellectual disabilities, GERD, and dementia, who was cognitively intact and required supervision with eating, reported that the food was cold, unappetizing, and made her feel unwell. Resident council and family grievances were documented regarding cold food and poor meal presentation, with concerns raised about food being served too cold or not edible. Despite these complaints, the dietary manager and administration believed that food temperatures were within required standards based on logs, but these logs only reflected temperatures at the point of service, not at the point of consumption. The facility's policy required that potentially hazardous foods be maintained at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the growth of pathogens, and that food temperatures be monitored throughout meal service. However, the lack of consistent and documented temperature checks after food was plated and delivered, combined with multiple complaints and direct observations of food served below safe temperatures, led to the deficiency. Staff interviews confirmed that there was no systematic process to ensure food remained at safe and appetizing temperatures up to the point of resident consumption.