Failure to Provide Palatable Meals at Appropriate Temperature
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature, with the potential to affect all 58 residents in the building. A grievance dated 12/1/25 documented that the food was cold. On 2/24/26 at 1:00 PM and again on 2/25/26 at 12:55 PM, surveyors observed numerous resident meal trays sitting in the main dining room with more than half of the food left on each of twelve and fifteen trays, respectively. On 2/25/26 at 1:15 PM, a test tray was obtained and the CDM measured the beef stew at 132°F; the beef stew and mixed vegetables did not taste warm. One resident stated his meal was cold, described the food as looking like “slop,” reported that the food is always cold and does not taste good, and said it is frequently overcooked, burned, or dried out. Another resident stated the food is usually served cold, reported being served cold, inedible pancakes, and noted that although the facility obtained heating “pucks” to place under plates after complaints, the pucks were sometimes not warm or were not used by staff. The Administrator acknowledged awareness of multiple complaints about food being served cold or not tasting good.
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