Long-Term Care Food Safety Checklist

Comprehensive long-term care food safety checklist covering resident meal service, texture-modified diets, and nutritional safety.

  • Industry: Long-Term Care
  • Frequency: Per meal service
  • Estimated Time: 20-25 minutes
  • Role: Dietary Manager/CNS
  • Total Items: 31
  • Compliance: CMS F-Tags, State Survey Requirements, FDA Food Code

Resident Diet Verification

Diet accuracy

  • Diet cards/preferences verified?
  • Texture-modified diets correct (IDDSI)?
  • Thickened liquids at correct consistency?
  • Resident identification verified?

Food Safety

Temperature and handling

  • Hot foods served at safe temperature?
  • Cold foods at safe temperature?
  • Food holding time monitored?

Dining Assistance

Resident support

  • Residents needing assistance identified?
  • Proper positioning for eating?
  • Adequate time for eating provided?

Documentation

Meal intake

  • Meal intake documented?
  • Eating concerns reported to nursing?

Pre-Inspection Information

Initial inspection details and documentation

  • Inspector Name
  • Inspection Date
  • Location / Kitchen Area
  • Inspection Type (Routine/Follow-up/Complaint)
  • Previous inspection date and findings reviewed?

Temperature Control & Monitoring

Verify all temperature-sensitive equipment and food items

  • Refrigerator temperature at or below 41°F (5°C)?
  • Freezer temperature at or below 0°F (-18°C)?
  • Hot holding foods at or above 135°F (57°C)?
  • Thermometers calibrated and functional?
  • Temperature logs current and properly maintained?

Food Handling & Cross-Contamination Prevention

Proper food handling practices and contamination prevention

  • Proper handwashing observed (20 seconds, soap)?
  • Gloves used properly for ready-to-eat foods?
  • Raw and cooked foods properly separated?
  • Color-coded cutting boards used correctly?
  • Allergen cross-contact controls in place?

Food Storage & Labeling

Proper storage, rotation, and labeling of food items

  • FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation followed?
  • All items properly date-labeled?
  • Food stored 6 inches off floor?
  • No expired products in storage?

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Why Use This Long-Term Care Food Safety Checklist?

This long-term care food safety checklist helps long-term care teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for dietary manager/cns professionals, this checklist covers 31 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: per meal service.

Ensures compliance with CMS F-Tags, State Survey Requirements, FDA Food Code. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Long-Term Care Food Safety Checklist cover?

This checklist covers 31 inspection items across 8 sections: Resident Diet Verification, Food Safety, Dining Assistance, Documentation, Pre-Inspection Information, Temperature Control & Monitoring, Food Handling & Cross-Contamination Prevention, Food Storage & Labeling. It is designed for long-term care operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed per meal service. Each completion takes approximately 20-25 minutes.

Who should use this Long-Term Care Food Safety Checklist?

This checklist is designed for Dietary Manager/CNS professionals in the long-term care industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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