Improper Handling of Food Containers and Lids During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves failure of dietary staff to prevent contamination of food containers and lids during meal preparation and service for all 78 residents. During a midday observation, a cook was seen taking temperatures of chili with beans, mashed potatoes, and pureed mixed vegetables and, while doing so, repeatedly touched the inside of each food container with her bare hand. In a separate observation, a dietary aide was seen touching the inside of the lids with bare hands while placing the lids on bowls of chili with beans and then placing these bowls on resident trays. When interviewed, the cook acknowledged she was not supposed to touch the inside of food containers with her hand when taking food temperatures, and the dietary aide stated she did not know whether she was supposed to touch the inside of the lids. The dietary manager later confirmed that kitchen staff were not supposed to touch the inside of food containers or lids with bare hands when taking food temperatures or placing lids on bowls of chili. The report states this failure had the potential to increase the risk of foodborne illness for all 78 residents in the facility.
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