Violation

California Code § 87555(b)(28)Contaminated Food Disposal

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects rcfe46 facilities cited in the last 90 days

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

Regulation text

What California Code § 87555(b)(28) actually says

California Code § 87555(b)(28)

All food shall be protected against contamination. Contaminated food shall be discarded immediately upon discovery.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

43 California RCFEs were cited for contaminated food violations. An LPA will open your refrigerator and check expiration labels during the kitchen walk-through. Label every stored item with the date and check refrigerators daily to catch expired food before the inspector does.

By the numbers

46^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
16^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady

46 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of Contaminated Food Disposal

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Discard contaminated food immediately upon discovery
Protect all food supplies from contamination sources
Label stored food with preparation and use-by dates
Train staff to identify signs of spoilage and cross-contamination

What to avoid

Leaving expired food in the refrigerator without checking dates
Storing raw meat above ready-to-eat items in the cooler
Using damaged packaging that exposes food to contaminants
Staff not reporting or removing visibly spoiled items during shifts

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Contaminated Food Disposal, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	12	--	--
Orange	4	--	--
Alameda	4	--	--
Sacramento	4	--	--
Contra Costa	3	--	--
Sonoma	2	--	--
Ventura	2	--	--
Monterey	2	--	--
San Bernardino	2	--	--
Kern	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-30Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the contaminated food disposal violation in California RCFEs?

Title 22, Section 87555(b)(28) requires California RCFEs to discard any contaminated food immediately upon discovery. This means staff must check food for spoilage, cross-contamination, or exposure to pathogens and throw it away right away. Residents in assisted living are often more vulnerable to foodborne illness, so prompt disposal protects their health. An LPA will check kitchen areas and refrigerators for expired or improperly stored food during inspections.

How common is the contaminated food disposal citation in California assisted living?

According to public CCLD inspection records, 43 California RCFEs were cited for contaminated food violations. This deficiency is classified as Type B, meaning it poses a potential risk to residents rather than an immediate one. Los Angeles County accounted for 13 of these citations. Inspectors commonly flag this during kitchen and food storage walk-throughs.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for contaminated food?

A Type B citation for contaminated food requires the facility to correct the violation within a set timeframe. The LPA will document the deficiency and may schedule a follow-up visit to verify corrections. While Type B citations carry lower civil penalties than Type A, repeated deficiencies can escalate enforcement. The citation becomes part of the facility's public inspection record, which families may review.

How do I fix or prevent a contaminated food disposal citation?

To prevent this citation, train kitchen staff to label all stored food with preparation and discard dates. Conduct a daily walk-through of refrigerators and pantry shelves to remove expired or damaged items. Store raw proteins below ready-to-eat foods to prevent cross-contamination. LPAs often check temperature logs and expiration labels during the kitchen portion of their inspection.

Does a contaminated food citation affect my RCFE license?

Yes, repeated Type B citations for food safety can affect your RCFE license status. CCLD tracks deficiency history, and a pattern of uncorrected violations can lead to increased inspections or enforcement actions. Keeping your kitchen compliant with Title 22, Section 87555 protects both residents and your facility's licensing standing. Source: public CCLD inspection records.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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