Improper Labeling and Dating of Refrigerated Cheese Products
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food labeling and dating practices in the kitchen walk-in refrigerator, where multiple cheese products were not labeled in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures. During an observation with the Dietary Supervisor, a plastic box of orange-colored shredded cheese was found labeled only with the date "12/30/25" and the word "cheese," without clarification of what the date represented (open, use by, or expiration) and without specifying the type of cheese. A plastic box of white, powdered cheese labeled as Parmesan was marked with the date "11/27/25" but again did not indicate whether this was an open date, use by date, or expiration date. Additionally, a plastic bag containing three blocks of orange-colored cheese was labeled with a delivered date of "12/24/25" and an opened date of "12/25/25" but lacked any use by or expiration date. In interviews, the Dietary Supervisor stated that foods in the kitchen should be labeled with a use by or expiration date to ensure expired foods are not used and that all expired food should be discarded immediately. The Dietary Aide similarly stated that it was important to label food with expiration and use by dates so staff would know when food could be used and that expired food should be discarded to prevent contamination. The Administrator stated that kitchen staff should ensure all food is labeled with a use by date to prevent using expired food. Review of the facility’s policies titled "Labeling and Dating of Foods" and "Refrigerated Storage Guide" showed that all food items in storage areas must be labeled and dated, that commercially processed ready-to-eat foods stored cold for more than 24 hours must be marked with a use by date, and that certain dairy and cheese products must be discarded by the manufacturer’s expiration date or within specified time frames after opening. The observed labeling practices for the cheese items did not comply with these written policies.
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