Failure to Serve Palatable and Properly Tempered Food and Beverages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food and beverages were served at safe and appetizing temperatures, as well as in a palatable and attractive manner. During the survey, milk on a beverage cart was found to be at 54°F, which is above the FDA food code requirement of 41°F. The Director of Dining acknowledged this temperature violation. Additionally, when asked for food temperatures from the lunch menu, an employee stated that the cook was responsible for recording them on the production sheet, but the cook had not documented any temperatures. This deficiency was observed across four of five hallways tested for milk temperatures and in the food tray temperature for one meal tray tested. A resident reported dissatisfaction with the food, stating that meal preferences had not been updated despite requests made three months prior, and that food was often cold and not served as requested. The resident also noted that meals were sometimes served last, resulting in food running out, and that food items were mixed together on the plate. Observation of the resident's meal confirmed that baked beans were running onto the hamburger bun, and the Food Service Director agreed that the meal presentation was not appropriate. The Food Service Director also confirmed that the resident's meal preferences had not been updated.