Improper Food Labeling and Storage Practices in Dietary and Beverage Service
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves failure to ensure food was prepared and served under sanitary conditions, including improper labeling and storage of food and beverages. During an observation of the dietary department, surveyors found half of a five-pound boneless ham in the walk-in refrigerator that was not dated, an open five-pound bag of diced potatoes in the walk-in refrigerator that was not sealed properly, and an open ten-pound box of frozen beef patties in the freezer that was not sealed properly. They also observed a five-pound bag of grapes that was open to air, not sealed properly, and not dated, as well as a zip lock bag containing approximately six halves of ham and cheese sandwiches in the refrigerator that were not dated. In an interview, the Dietary Manager confirmed these findings and stated he expected all items to be sealed properly and dated. Additional observations on the 400 hallway beverage cart showed further failures in safe food handling. A kitchen cart was observed with what appeared to be coffee, milk, and juice that were not labeled with contents or date of preparation, and an RN confirmed that the beverages were not labeled or dated and stated that all beverages should be properly labeled. On another observation of the same hallway cart, milk was seen not sitting on ice, and a CNA confirmed that the milk was not on ice and acknowledged that all drinks should be placed on ice to stay cold. These practices were identified as affecting all 109 residents on the census and were described as likely to lead to foodborne illnesses if safe food handling and storage practices were not followed.
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