Failure to Label and Date Open and Prepared Food Items in Dietary Storage
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to store food in a sanitary manner in the dietary department. During an observation of the walk-in coolers, an open bag of French fries was found in the freezer with no label or date. In the refrigerator, two halves of a tomato wrapped in cellophane, half of an onion wrapped in cellophane, and a large pan of half-empty red Jello were also observed without any labels or dates. These items were not labeled or dated as required by facility policy. In an interview, the dietary staff member responsible for directing dietary staff stated that she instructs staff to check the received date and expiration date when they open an item and to place a label and date on any open items and anything cut and wrapped in cellophane. She reported that she continues to remind staff to label open items and indicated that a "Use by Date Guide" was posted on the outside of the refrigerator door as a reminder of the rules for dating open items. Review of the facility’s Food Safety Requirements policy confirmed that food is to be stored in accordance with professional standards, including labeling, dating, and monitoring refrigerated food such as leftovers so it is used by its use-by date or discarded, and keeping foods covered or in tight containers.
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