Unsanitary Kitchen Flooring During Ongoing Plumbing Repairs
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency related to unsanitary conditions in the kitchen where food was stored, prepared, and served. During observation, two large four-by-eight-foot sheets of bare plywood were found laid over areas of missing tile on one end of the kitchen floor. The plywood had various black stains and was an uncleanable surface that could not be properly maintained for cleanliness. The surrounding tile floor also had scattered debris and white/gray stains. Staff explained that maintenance had dug holes under the flooring to fix drainpipes and that this construction had been ongoing for approximately two weeks, occurring at night when the kitchen was not in use. Staff reported that plastic sheeting and permanent tenting had been hung around the construction areas to contain dust, sand, and concrete debris. One staff member stated he did not know what else to use to cover the missing tile and wanted to avoid creating a tripping hazard. Another staff member stated the floor would be fixed once new tile arrived, expected in about a week. Review of the FDA 2022 Food Code and the facility’s sanitation policy showed requirements that nonfood-contact surfaces be kept free of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris, and that all food service areas be kept clean, sanitary, and free from litter and rubbish. The observed conditions in the kitchen did not meet these standards.
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