F0804

E

Failure to Maintain Palatable Food Temperatures During Meal Service

Copley, Ohio Survey Completed on 03-24-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that meals were served at a palatable, appetizing temperature in accordance with its policy titled “Food: Quality and Palatability.” Resident council minutes documented that residents had complained of cold food. Multiple resident and family interviews corroborated these concerns: one resident stated the food was not palatable, another resident’s family member reported the food was not always hot, another resident stated the food “sucks,” and another resident reported the food was not always warm. During a resident council meeting, several residents reported that food was frequently cold and that the kitchen was not always using warming plates to keep food hot. The facility identified eight residents on NPO status who did not receive food from the kitchen, and thus the issue had the potential to affect all other residents receiving meals.

Surveyors directly observed a lunch meal service and documented food temperatures at the start of service and at the end of tray delivery. At the start of service, hot dogs measured 190°F, baked beans 175°F, and coleslaw 32°F. By the time the last hallway cart was completed and delivered, a test tray on that cart showed significantly reduced temperatures: 105°F for the hot dog, 109°F for the baked beans, and 36°F for the coleslaw. A taste test of the hot dog and baked beans determined the food was not at a palatable temperature. The district manager who took the temperatures and participated in the taste test confirmed that the hot dog and baked beans were not at an acceptable or palatable temperature. This failure to maintain palatable temperatures occurred despite the facility’s written policy requiring food to be palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature.