Failure to Properly Label, Date, and Seal Food Items in Dietary Services
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in the facility’s food service operations related to failure to properly label, date, and seal food items in accordance with professional standards. During an observation of the reach-in refrigerator, a small metal container of pimento cheese was found loosely covered with plastic wrap, leaving it exposed to air, and the date written on the wrap was obscured. When interviewed, the cook stated the pimento cheese had been made that morning but did not initially respond when asked why it was not sealed; she then re-wrapped and dated it, but it was determined unsafe to serve because the length of time it had been unsealed was unknown. Additional observations showed similar issues in other storage areas. In the dry storage area, a 25‑pound box of white rice was stored in an unsealed bag open to air and was not marked with the date opened, and the dietary staff member present stated she did not know why it was open and undated. In the walk‑in cooler, seven 4‑ounce cups of orange juice were covered with plastic wrap but were unlabeled and undated; the dietary staff member stated night shift staff prepared the orange juice and were responsible for labeling and dating it. In the walk‑in freezer, a box of frozen biscuits was stored in an unsealed bag open to air and was not marked with the date opened, and the dietary staff member again stated she did not know why it was open and undated. The Dietary Manager and District Dietary Manager confirmed that all food items should be labeled and dated when prepared, opened, or stored after opening and that staff were aware of this requirement.
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