Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Preparation and Serving Practices
Penalty
Summary
Facility dietary staff failed to maintain sanitary food preparation and serving practices in the kitchen. During dinner preparation, multiple staff members with facial hair did not wear beard guards, despite being aware of the requirement. Staff also failed to take holding temperatures of food items prior to serving them from the steam table. Throughout the meal service, staff wore the same gloves while serving multiple plates, touched the steam table surface with gloved hands, and then used those same gloves to handle serving utensils and directly pick up baked fish and rolls without using utensils. This resulted in the contamination of serving utensils and glove surfaces. Additionally, one staff member used gloved hands to shape rice after touching the steam table and serving utensils, and food was served on plates that had visible water droplets. Interviews with staff confirmed awareness of the need for beard guards and the risks associated with improper glove use, cross-contamination, and serving food on wet plates. Facility policies reviewed indicated requirements for proper staff attire, hand washing, glove use, temperature monitoring, and appropriate use of serving utensils to prevent cross-contamination. These policies were not followed during the observed meal service.