Based on observation, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure food items were labeled and stored in a manner to prevent spoilage. This had the potential to affect all 77 residents residing in the facility. The facility census was 77.
Findings include:
Observations made in the main kitchen on 03/14/25 from 9:30 A.M. to 9:40 A.M. revealed several food items in the dry storage were opened, wrapped in plastic wrap, and were unlabeled. These items included one bag of whole pecans, one bag of spaghetti noodles, two bags of fettuccine noodles, one bag of macaroni noodles, and one bag of seafood breading mix. Observation in the walk-in refrigerator revealed several unlabeled and undated metal containers covered with plastic wrap. These items included one large round container of a red-colored soup and two containers of chopped grilled chicken. There was also one bag of diced celery wrapped in plastic wrap and three half-full pint-sized plastic cartons containing raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries that were all opened and undated. Further observation of the pass-through cooler revealed a plastic bin containing mandarin orange slices in liquid that was not labeled or dated and one plastic bin containing five liters of ranch dressing that was dated 02/28/25.
Observation in the memory care freezer and refrigerator on 03/14/25 at 9:43 A.M. revealed one opened box of frozen toaster pastries, one opened box of frozen bacon strips, one plastic container holding shredded chicken in sauce, two Styrofoam containers with unidentified leftovers, one complete berry pie covered with plastic wrap, and one carton of thickened lemon-flavored water that were all not labeled or dated.
Interview on 03/14/25 from 9:30 A.M. to 9:43 A.M. with Dietary Manager (DM) #143 stated he was responsible for all of the unlabeled food products in the main kitchen and stated he checked the refrigerator and freezer in the memory care unit weekly. DM #143 verified he opened the bag of pecans two days ago to make a pecan berry salad and did not label or date the package. DM #143 verified he opened the bags of spaghetti, macaroni, and fettuccine noodles within the last few weeks and did not label or date them. DM #143 verified he opened the bag of seafood breading mix that morning to coat the flounder for the dinner service on 03/14/25 and did not label or date the package. DM #143 verified he prepared the grilled chopped chicken on 03/13/25 around 3:00 P.M. to be used for chicken caesar salads that were to be served at lunch on 03/14/25 and did not label or date the bins. DM #143 stated the red-colored soup was lasagna soup and verified it was not labeled or dated. DM #143 stated he prepared it on 03/13/25 around 5:00 P.M. to be served on 03/14/25. DM #143 verified the three plastic cartons containing raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries were opened and used last week to make berry salads, were not dated or labeled, and should have been thrown out. DM #143 verified the pass-through cooler contained mandarin orange slices that were not dated or labeled. DM #143 verified the ranch dressing dated 02/28/25 was unsafe for consumption and stated he asked another chef to discard the dressing on 03/14/25. DM #143 stated he made the dressing with buttermilk and used the expiration date on the buttermilk to determine when the dressing should be used and discarded. DM #143 verified opened products and leftover foods stored in the memory care refrigerator were not labeled or dated. DM #143 verified the opened box of thickened lemon-flavored water was undated and stated he was not aware that any unused product was to be discarded within seven days of opening.
Review of policy titled, Food Storage