ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

A food item that is received with an expired use-by date should be:

1. Rejected

2. Used immediately

3. Stored for future use

4. Checked for spoilage

The correct answer is: Rejected

A food item that is received with an expired use-by date should be rejected because the use-by date is a critical indicator of food safety and quality. This date suggests when a manufacturer guarantees that the product will be at its best quality and safe to eat. Once this date has passed, the risk of spoilage or foodborne illness increases significantly. Accepting items past their use-by date poses serious health risks to consumers as the food may have deteriorated in quality or could potentially harbor harmful bacteria. Therefore, it's essential for food handlers to maintain high safety standards by rejecting any products that do not meet these critical criteria.