complaint·November 4, 2025

Allegation: Facility staff serve residents expired food. It is alleged t hat on On September 29, 2025, a Regional Center Quality Assurance and Compliance Specialist conducted an unannounced visit and found expired produce [lettuce & strawberries], container lid with mold, and food containers with mold in the kitchen refrigerator. A total of 4 staff were interviewed. All staff acknowledged the allegation. Staff interviews revealed that one week before the facility had a large family celebration, and staff put left over food in the main refrigerator but did not throw out old food that had mold and was wilted beyond safe consumption. Staff stated that they have never served residents any expired food. One resident was interviewed, they stated the food served is good. They did not have any food complaints. During today's visit, 3 refrigerators were observed in the facility. All refrigerators had food that is safe for consumption and labeled. Licensee stated that a plan of action was put in place the day after Regional Center observations, and all inedible food was discarded right away. Based on record review, a Corrective Action Plan was issued on October 28, 2025. LPA obtained picture evidence of expired food. Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation. Allegation: Facility staff did not ensure that expired food was discarded. The complaint alleges the 7-day non-perishable food pantry had 15 items that were expired. The expiration date of the 8 canned food and 5 bags of instant potatoes ranged from 11/2024 to 9/28/2025. All staff acknowledged the allegation and stated that expired food items were an oversight, and moving forward they have put in place staff protocols that ensures canned food expiration dates are marked and checked prior to use. The resident that was interviewed had no knowledge of the allegation. LPA observed the food pantry now has two separate storage spaces, one of residents and the other for staff use. No expired food pantry items were observed today. Resident file review indicates 4 residents have physician orders for modified food diets. Based on record review, the Regional Center issued a Corrective Action Plan dated October 28, 2025 and a Semi-Annual Residential Review that states deficiencies were observed during the visit that resulted in substantial inadequacies. Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to support the allegation. Based on record review and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Deficiencies are cited according to California Code of Regulations, Title 22. See LIC 9099D. An exit interview was conducted with Administrator Fedelito Ruiz. A copy of the report and appeal rights was issued.