What should employees do with food that has passed its expiration date?

When food has passed its expiration date, the safest and most responsible action for employees is to discard it immediately. This practice is critical for maintaining food safety and protecting the health of customers. Expired food may harbor bacteria or other pathogens that can lead to foodborne illnesses.

Disposing of expired items prevents the risk of serving food that may not be safe to eat, which upholds the establishment's commitment to food safety standards. Additionally, it ensures compliance with regulations that could potentially impact the business if not followed.

While other methods like cooking it thoroughly or using it as soon as possible might seem plausible, they do not guarantee the safety of the food. Repackaging expired food poses the same risks, as it does not address the underlying issues associated with the expired date. Thus, discarding expired food is the best option to ensure customer safety and maintain high hygiene standards.