What should a food service establishment do if they discover a food product is past its expiration date?

When a food service establishment discovers that a food product is past its expiration date, the most appropriate action is to discard it immediately. Expiration dates are established to ensure food safety, indicating the time frame within which the product should be consumed for optimal quality and safety. Consuming food past this date poses a risk to health, as the product may be contaminated or less effective, and could lead to foodborne illnesses.

Discarding expired products helps maintain high safety standards in food service operations and protects customers from potential health risks. While inspecting, cooking, or donating expired products might seem viable solutions, they involve significant risks that could jeopardize food safety protocols. Adhering to expiration dates is a critical component of food safety management.