What should be done when food is found to be expired?

When food is found to be expired, the best course of action is to dispose of it properly. Consuming expired food can pose significant health risks, including foodborne illness. The expiration date is an important indicator of the safety and quality of the food, and if it has passed, there is a likelihood that harmful bacteria may have developed or the food may no longer be safe to eat.

Proper disposal involves throwing the food away in a way that prevents it from being eaten by anyone else. This ensures that no one accidentally consumes the food, which could lead to illness or adverse health effects. Additionally, it reinforces the importance of maintaining food safety practices, which include regularly checking expiration dates and managing food inventory effectively.

The other options do not address the safety concerns associated with consuming or reusing expired food. Serving it if it looks fine ignores the potential health risks, returning it may not be practical or advisable based on local regulations, and refrigerating expired food can still allow for the growth of harmful pathogens. Therefore, proper disposal is critical to safeguarding health and ensuring food safety.