Failure to Maintain Food Safety Standards in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's kitchen regarding food safety and sanitation practices. Dietary staff were seen wearing hair nets that did not adequately cover their hair, with several inches of hair exposed at the forehead, neck, and around the head. Staff acknowledged difficulties with the provided hair nets, stating they often slipped and failed to contain all hair, which could result in hair falling into food and causing contamination. During meal preparation, staff were observed handling food and food containers without wearing gloves and without practicing appropriate hand hygiene. One staff member touched the inside of dessert bowls and a container of liquid with bare hands, then continued to prepare and serve food without washing hands. The same staff member also scratched her forehead and handled kitchen equipment and food items without washing hands between tasks. These actions were observed both after entering the kitchen and after handling potentially contaminated items, in direct violation of the facility's hand hygiene policy. Interviews with dietary staff, the Dietary Manager, and the DON confirmed awareness of the facility's policies requiring thorough hand washing at the start of shifts, after leaving and re-entering the kitchen, and after touching hair or face. Staff admitted to not following these protocols during the observed periods, and acknowledged the potential for contamination when proper hygiene is not maintained. The facility's policy on food safety and sanitation specifically outlines the need for personal hygiene practices, including hand washing and effective hair restraint, which were not adhered to during the survey.