F0812

E

Failure to Calibrate Thermometers and Document Cold Storage Temperatures

Burbank, California Survey Completed on 03-04-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified a deficiency in safe and sanitary food preparation practices when kitchen staff failed to calibrate food thermometers and to monitor and document refrigerator and freezer temperatures as required. Review of the Thermometer Calibration Log with the Dietary Service Supervisor (DSS) showed that thermometer calibration had not been done or documented for multiple consecutive days, including 3/2, 3/3, and 3/4. Review of the Refrigerator & Freezer Temperature Log showed that the p.m. shift temperatures for multiple refrigerators and freezers on 3/3 were not documented, and the a.m. shift temperatures for 3/4 had not yet been logged. The DSS stated that if temperatures and calibrations are not logged, the facility cannot confirm they were done.

During interviews, the Assistant Dietary Supervisor (ADS) explained that cooks are responsible for checking refrigerator and freezer temperatures at the start of the a.m. and p.m. shifts and that thermometers are to be calibrated before temperature checks and logged in the morning and monitored throughout the day. The ADS acknowledged that failure to calibrate thermometers and to record refrigerator and freezer temperatures could result in inaccurate readings and potential foodborne illness, and that undocumented temperatures cannot be verified. The Administrator confirmed that calibration is required daily to ensure accurate temperatures and that refrigerator and freezer temperatures must be taken to prevent food from spoiling or going bad, which could cause residents to become ill. Review of facility policies showed written requirements that thermometers be calibrated before each shift and that dietary staff check and record refrigerator and freezer temperatures at the beginning of each shift, with specified acceptable temperature ranges.