Violation

California Code § 87555(b)(8)Food Quality Controls

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 rcfe259 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)(8) actually says

California Code § 87555(b)(8)

All food shall be of good quality. Commercial foods shall be approved by appropriate federal, state and local authorities. Food in damaged containers shall not be accepted, used or retained.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

243 California RCFEs were cited for food quality deficiencies. LPAs check pantry shelves and walk your kitchen during every inspection. Discard dented cans and torn packages before the inspector finds them. A five-minute delivery check saves you a Type B citation and a follow-up visit.

By the numbers

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

259 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 Food Quality Controls

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

Common practices

All food served must be of good quality and approved by federal, state, or local authorities.
Food in damaged containers must not be accepted, used, or retained in the facility.
Commercial food products must meet applicable approval standards before being served to residents.

What to avoid

Accepting food deliveries without inspecting cans and packaging for dents or tears.
Retaining dented cans or torn packages in pantry storage rather than discarding them.
Failing to rotate stock, which leads to expired products remaining on shelves.
Overlooking refrigerated items that have passed their use-by dates during restocking.

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 Food Quality Controls, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	33	--	--
Alameda	25	--	--
Orange	24	--	--
Ventura	24	--	--
Sacramento	20	--	--
Contra Costa	16	--	--
Sonoma	13	--	--
Kern	12	--	--
San Mateo	9	--	--
San Diego	8	--	--

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 a food quality violation in California assisted living?

A food quality violation occurs when an RCFE serves, accepts, or retains food that is not good quality or comes in damaged containers. Title 22, Section 87555(b)(8) requires all food to meet federal, state, and local approval standards. Residents depend on your community for safe, nutritious meals every day.

How common are food quality violations in California assisted living?

According to California CCLD inspection records, 243 California RCFEs were cited for food quality deficiencies under Section 87555(b)(8). This is classified as a Type B citation, meaning it poses a potential risk to residents if left uncorrected. The violation appeared across 31 counties, with Los Angeles County alone recording 35 citations.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for food quality violations?

Your facility receives a Type B citation that requires a written plan of correction submitted to CCLD. The Licensing Program Analyst schedules a follow-up visit to verify compliance. Type B citations carry civil penalties and become part of your public inspection record that prospective families can review.

How do I fix or prevent a food quality citation?

Inspect all incoming deliveries for dented cans, torn packaging, and expired dates before accepting them. Set up a weekly walk-through of dry storage and refrigerators to catch compromised items. Train kitchen staff to separate and discard damaged goods immediately. LPAs routinely check pantry shelves during inspections.

Does a food quality violation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B citation will not suspend your license. However, repeated food quality citations trigger increased monitoring and unannounced follow-up visits from CCLD. A pattern of uncorrected deficiencies can lead to conditions on your license or a formal enforcement action. Address every citation promptly to protect your standing.

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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