Improper Use of Hair Restraints and Gloves During Food Preparation and Temperature Checks
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food service practices related to failure to follow professional standards for food handling and personal hygiene. On 7/22/25, with a facility census of 114 residents and four residents identified as strict nothing by mouth, multiple dietary staff members were observed in the kitchen with facial hair and without beard nets. Several staff, including the cook and dietary aides, had hair nets that did not fully contain their hair, with hair extending below the nets. A bag of hair nets and a bag of beard nets were observed available at the kitchen door, yet the dietary supervisor initially wore a hair net with long hair extending below it and only adjusted it after being questioned. When asked if staff should be wearing beard nets, the dietary supervisor stated he did not know, and when asked about hair coverage, he acknowledged that all hair should be in the hair net. On the same day, the cook was observed preparing gravy for the lunch meal service without wearing gloves. Later, while checking food temperatures prior to serving the meal, the cook wore a glove on the left hand but used an ungloved right hand to check temperatures, with the back of the right hand touching the food. The ADON/infection prevention nurse stated that gloves are worn to prevent cross contamination. The report cites the 2022 FDA Food Code, which states that food service employees shall wear hair restraints and beard restraints designed and worn to effectively keep their hair from contacting exposed foods.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.