F0804

E

Failure to Maintain Equipment and Serve Hot Foods at Required Temperatures

Cincinnati, Ohio Survey Completed on 01-12-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified a deficiency related to the facility’s failure to ensure hot foods were served at palatable, appetizing, and safe temperatures in accordance with facility policy. Kitchen observations showed the plate warmer equipment was not fully functional, with only one side of the hot plate pellet system in service and able to hold about 30 plates. Staff interviews confirmed the plate warmer had been nonfunctional for several months, and both a staff member and the Dietary Manager stated they were unaware of any pending repairs. The facility’s written policy, “Temperatures of Safe Food Handling” (2023), required all hot foods to be served at 135°F or higher, and the Dietary Manager stated hot foods should be at least 135°F when served.

A test tray observation of a lunch meal showed hot food items below the required temperature, with chicken at 112°F, potatoes at 113°F, and carrots at 114°F, and the food was not hot when tasted. Multiple residents reported that meals were not hot enough or were cold when served. Resident interviews documented ongoing complaints about food temperature, and review of Food Committee and Resident Council meeting minutes from prior months showed residents had previously voiced concerns that hot foods were being served cold. The deficiency was cited as noncompliance under Complaint Number 2665253 and had the potential to affect all residents except two who did not receive food from the kitchen.