Nursing Home Requirements for Food Procurement, Self Determination, and Participation

This memorandum clarifies that 1) The language at 42 CFR 483.35(i), Tag F 371 'Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory by Federal, State or local authorities' is intended solely for the foods procured by the facility. A revision has been made to the interpretive guidelines at F371 to further clarify this intent; 2) Foods accepted by residents from visitors, family, friends, or other guests are not subject to the regulatory requirement at F 371; and 3) Residents have the right to choose to accept food from visitors, family, friends, or other guests according to their rights to make choices at 483.15, F 242, Self Determination and Participation.