F0804

E

Failure to Provide Palatable Meals at Appropriate Temperatures

Rensselaer, New York Survey Completed on 02-25-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that food and drink were palatable, attractive, and served at safe and appetizing temperatures for three of three meals reviewed. During a lunch tray sampling for one resident on 02/13/2026, the resident’s lunch tray required replacement, resulting in a 32‑minute wait from the time of request. Temperature checks of that tray showed coffee at 119.3°F, whole milk at 49.1°F, seafood casserole at 125.5°F, California blend vegetables at 122.2°F, and chocolate cake at 68.5°F. During a breakfast tray sampling on 02/17/2026 for another resident, a replacement tray was also required, and temperatures were recorded as follows: water for tea 144.1°F, whole milk 53.2°F, orange juice 56.1°F, hot cereal 136.9°F, sausage patty 102.0°F, toasted bagel 85.6°F, and cream cheese packets at 41.1°F and 41.5°F. During a lunch tray sampling on 02/17/2026 for a third resident, the tray again required replacement, and temperatures were recorded as: water for tea 140.7°F (with the tea bag missing), apple juice 64.9°F, cranberry juice 64.2°F, Philly steak on bun with peppers, onions, and cheese sauce casserole 128.5°F, mixed vegetables 124.9°F, bow tie noodles 110°F (noted to be underprepared with no sauce), cottage cheese 49°F, and assorted fruit 64.2°F, with the canned oranges noted to be sour to taste.

Interviews supported ongoing concerns with food quality and temperature. One resident stated that the food was horrible and delivered cold most of the time, and another resident reported that meals were always cold and that they were the last one on the list for food delivery. A family member described the food as gross. A dietary aide reported responsibilities including tray setup and ensuring items matched meal tickets, noted that requested substitutions were being highlighted, and stated that replacement meals normally took 3–4 minutes to prepare and deliver, while also indicating staffing was usually limited and that the cook tested food temperatures before delivery. A CNA stated that lunch was usually brought to the unit around 12:30 PM, that residents always complained about food not matching meal tickets, and gave an example of a resident missing oatmeal from their tray; they reported that if items were missing, they would call or go to the kitchen to obtain them, and at 12:55 PM on one day, lunch had still not been delivered to the unit. The administrator stated they checked that food arrived to residents and that temperatures were taken randomly.