What is the policy on re-serving foods?

• A. Re-serve if requested by the customer.
• B. Do not re-serve; discard or return to the kitchen; follow policy for re-serving only when appropriate.
• C. Re-serve after heating for 5 more minutes.
• D. Label as new and keep serving.

Answer: (B)

Re-serving food is avoided to protect guests from foodborne illness. Once a dish has left the kitchen, it can quickly fall into unsafe temperature ranges or be contaminated by handling, utensils, or multiple customers, increasing the risk of bacteria growing. The proper action is to discard the item or return it to the kitchen for proper handling, and re-serving should only happen if the establishment’s policy explicitly allows it under safe, defined conditions. Simply reheating for a set time isn’t a guaranteed fix, because it may not raise the entire portion to a safe temperature or address prior contamination. Labeling the plate as new would be misleading and doesn’t resolve safety concerns.