What should a food handler do if they find expired food?

A food handler should dispose of expired food properly and remove it from inventory because consuming expired food can pose serious health risks to consumers. Food safety practices are in place to prevent foodborne illnesses, and expired food may harbor harmful bacteria, toxins, and other pathogens that can make people sick.

Proper disposal ensures that the expired food does not accidentally make its way back into customer hands or remain in the kitchen environment, which could lead to confusion or cross-contamination. By removing it from inventory, the food handler ensures that all food items available for consumption are safe and compliant with health regulations. This action reinforces the importance of maintaining high food safety standards in any food service establishment.