ServSafe Manager Practice Exam

What action should be taken with food exceeding its 'best by' date?

1. Simply check its quality

2. Use it anyway

3. Discard it

4. Freeze it for later use

The correct answer is: Discard it

When food exceeds its 'best by' date, the recommended action is to discard it to ensure food safety and quality. The 'best by' date is an indication of when the product is expected to maintain its optimal quality, flavor, and texture. Consuming food past this date can risk consuming items that may no longer be safe or palatable, even if there is no visible spoilage. In restaurants and food service operations, maintaining food safety is paramount, and serving or using food that is past its recommended date could pose a risk to customers. While checking for quality may seem like an option, it does not guarantee safety. Even if the food appears fine, bacterial growth could have occurred without any visible signs, making it unsafe to eat. Using food anyway or freezing it might delay the issue but doesn't address the potential safety hazard involved with food that has surpassed its best by date. Therefore, the safest and most responsible action is to discard any food that has exceeded its 'best by' date.