Improper Food Storage and Unsanitary Dietary Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves failure to properly label, date, seal, and remove expired food items, as well as failure to maintain cleanliness of dietary equipment and storage areas. During an initial tour of the dietary department, surveyors observed two crates of chocolate milk cartons in the walk-in cooler that were past their expiration date but still available to be served, and a partially used 5-pound bag of shredded cheddar cheese left open to air, though dated as opened. In the dry food storage room, an undated bag of rice was found in an open plastic bag. In the walk-in freezer, an open cardboard box of frozen chicken breast patties with an open inner plastic bag was observed, with patties showing light edges suggestive of freezer burn, and three 5-pound rolls of frozen ground beef placed on a wire rack without any dates. Additional observations showed that equipment and surfaces in the dietary department were not adequately cleaned. The free-standing rack for cutting boards had a dark brown buildup of debris between sections where cutting boards were stored, with some boards touching the debris. One side of the stove/oven had a dark brown, sticky grease buildup. The bottom edge of a free-standing refrigerator door had thick dust and debris, and a utility cart holding condiments and silverware was visibly soiled with dried debris and crumbs between compartments and along the edges. Interviews with the Dietary Manager and the Regional Director of Dietary Services confirmed that staff had not been consistently checking dates, sealing and labeling food, or ensuring that cleaning tasks were completed according to expectations.
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