Failure to Label Food and Maintain Clean Kitchen Vents
Penalty
Summary
Dietary staff failed to properly label and date food items stored in the walk-in refrigerator and freezer, as observed during a kitchen tour. Items such as ravioli, hash browns, and pancakes were found in clear plastic bags without any labels or dates. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that all items should be sealed, labeled, and dated, but there was confusion among staff regarding who was responsible for this task. The facility's own Food Receiving and Storage policy requires all foods stored in the refrigerator or freezer to be covered, labeled, and dated. Additionally, the kitchen's air conditioning vents were observed to be visibly soiled with a black substance, which some staff identified as possible mold or dust buildup. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and uncertainty about who was responsible for cleaning the vents. The facility's Sanitization policy states that kitchen surfaces not in contact with food should be cleaned regularly to prevent grime accumulation. No interviews could be conducted with the Dietary Manager due to illness, and both the Maintenance Director and other staff were unaware of the issue prior to the survey.