What should be done with food suspected to be contaminated?

When food is suspected of being contaminated, the safest and most responsible action is to discard it immediately. This is crucial to prevent any potential risk of foodborne illness, which can arise from consuming contaminated food. Contaminated food can harbor harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins that may not be eliminated through cooking or reheating.

By discarding the suspected food, you protect the health and safety of individuals who may consume the food, thereby minimizing the risk of outbreaks and maintaining food safety standards. Storing the food for inspection or reporting it only if illness occurs delays necessary actions that could expose others to harm, while reheating the food does not guarantee that it will be safe to eat. Therefore, discarding contaminated food is the most effective method to ensure health safety in food service environments.