Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions and Improper Food Storage/Labeling
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to unsanitary food service and improper food storage and dating practices that affected all residents who received meals from the kitchen, except three residents who did not eat meals prepared there. During an initial kitchen tour with a staff member, surveyors observed food debris and pieces of cardboard on the floor in the food preparation room, including an uncooked raw biscuit that had been stepped on and smashed on the floor. The steel preparation table had a large amount of food debris on the lower shelf, and the wall behind the food preparation table and sink had pieces of food debris and dried brown and white liquids splashed on it. Two trays of bowls filled with dried cereal were found on a cart without any dates indicating when the cereal had been poured or prepared. Further observations in the refrigerator revealed a large round plastic container with an unknown red liquid that was not dated or identified, a square container of cherry tomatoes with no date, and a large five-pound bag of salad mix that was open to air and undated as to when it was opened. In the freezer, surveyors found a large plastic container of an unknown type of soup with no date indicating when it was made or placed in the freezer. Two three-tiered black plastic carts in the area had food debris and a dark brown liquid spilled on them, and the wall behind the steamer was dirty with dried liquid splashes running down it. The floor behind the steamer had a large buildup of black dirt. In a subsequent interview, the staff member who accompanied the surveyors verified all of these concerns. Review of facility policies on food storage and cleaning/sanitizing dietary areas showed that the observed conditions did not align with the written requirements for labeling, dating, and maintaining kitchen areas and equipment in a sanitary manner.
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