Question: [We have a] question on if the food in the refrigerator needs to be temped or if the refrigerator temp alone is sufficient to support this tag.
CMS Answer: Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding refrigerator temperatures. Per federal long-term care requirements at §483.60(i)(2) – F812, the facility must store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Additionally, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration 2017 Food Code at under refrigeration food temperatures must be maintained at 5oC (41oF) or less. With this being said, it would be expected that surveyors check the actual food temperature, not just the temperature of the refrigerator itself.
