Improper Food Storage, Labeling, and Staff Attire in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in food service practices related to improper food storage, labeling, and staff attire during an initial kitchen tour. A cook was observed preparing breakfast without wearing a required hairnet. Inspection of the refrigerators revealed multiple food items that were expired, past their "Best If Used By" or "Used By" dates, or lacked any open or expiration dates. These included an open and an unopened 5 lb container of low-fat cottage cheese with a "Best If Used By" date already passed, prepared cheese labeled with a prep date and a "Used By" date that had expired, and an open box of thickened apple juice with a "Best If Used By" date that had passed. Additional items in the refrigerators were found without proper labeling or dating, including an open container of sliced strawberries, a large plastic container of marinara sauce, a container of fruit cocktail, a metal container of chicken gravy, and various pre-made sandwiches (grilled cheese, turkey and cheese, and peanut butter) that were not dated or properly labeled. A wilted head of lettuce and saran-wrapped sliced raw red onions were also observed with "Used By" stickers that were past due. In an interview, a staff member stated that everyone is responsible for checking dates to ensure items are used by the expiration date or discarded if unused. The food service director was later informed of these findings.
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