If a product seems past its use-by date, what is the proper action?

• A. Accept it if it looks good
• B. Use it in hot dishes
• C. Reject
• D. Repackage for later use

Answer: (C)

Use-by dates are about safety, not just quality. If a product seems past its use-by date, it should be discarded because dangerous bacteria can grow even if the item looks or smells fine, and some toxins aren’t destroyed by cooking. Accepting it because it looks okay can lead to foodborne illness, and simply reheating or cooking it in hot dishes does not guarantee safety. Repackaging for later use is not acceptable and can cause cross-contamination. The safest action is to reject the product and replace it with a fresh item.