What should be done if food is found to be past its shelf life?

When food is found to be past its shelf life, the safest course of action is to discard it immediately. This is because the shelf life indicates the period during which the food is expected to remain safe to eat while maintaining its intended quality. Consuming food past this date can pose serious health risks, as harmful bacteria may have developed or the food may have degraded in quality, leading to foodborne illnesses.

Maintaining strict adherence to food safety protocols, including removing expired items from inventory, helps prevent potential contamination and ensures customer safety. Discarding outdated food protects both the staff and customers from the dangers associated with consuming spoiled or unsafe products.