F0812

F

Improper Food Storage and Labeling in Kitchen and Dry Storage Areas

Mascoutah, Illinois Survey Completed on 12-19-2025

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified a deficiency in food storage practices when they observed multiple undated and improperly stored food items in the facility’s kitchen and storage areas, with the potential to affect all 33 residents. On 12/16/2025 at 10:35 AM, in a standing refrigerator, they found a clear plastic container covered with plastic wrap labeled “sloppy joe” and another clear plastic container covered with plastic wrap labeled “cheesy broccoli rice,” with neither container dated. In the dry goods storage area, they observed an uncovered clear plastic container holding a plastic bag filled with a white powdery substance that appeared to be flour, with no label or date. On 12/17/2025 at 12:30 PM, surveyors observed a large plastic container of dry cereal on the bottom of a three-tier metal rolling cart, uncovered and without a date. At 3:20 PM on the same day, the Dietary Manager stated that all refrigerated foods should be stored in covered containers and labeled with the date cooked, that cooked food is only good for three days in the refrigerator, and that all dry goods including cereal should be in sealed, labeled, and dated containers. The Dietary Manager also stated that opened flour should be placed in a plastic bag, then in a closed container, labeled with its contents and dated. The facility’s Food Storage Areas Policy, revised 12/30/2024, requires prepared food stored in the refrigerator until service to be dated and tightly sealed with plastic wrap, foil, or a lid, but the observed practices did not comply with this policy.

The facility’s Long-Term Care Facility Application for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS 671) dated 12/16/2025 documents that 33 residents live in the facility, all of whom could be affected by these food storage deficiencies.