What should be done with food that has passed its expiration date?

The best course of action for food that has passed its expiration date is to discard it and record it as waste. Expiration dates are established to ensure food safety and quality; consuming or selling food past this date can pose health risks. Proper food safety protocols require that expired items are not served to customers, as they may no longer be safe to eat, leading to potential health issues such as foodborne illnesses.

Recording the discarded food as waste is also important for inventory management and compliance with health regulations. This ensures that all expired food is accounted for, and helps maintain accurate records of inventory usage and waste, which is essential for managing costs and ensuring high standards of food safety within the establishment. By following this practice, a team leader upholds the integrity of the operation and prioritizes customer safety.