What should you do when prep items reach their expiration date?

• A. Disregard the date and use if looks fine
• B. Move expired items to the back of the cooler
• C. Discard expired items immediately
• D. Return expired items to supplier

Answer: (C)

Expiration dates mark the point beyond which a prep item may not be safe to use. When something reaches that date, discard it immediately. This protects customers from potential foodborne illness and keeps operations in line with safety standards. Even if it looks fine, things can spoil or harbor bacteria after the date, and relying on appearance is not a safe test. Moving expired items to the back of the cooler risks someone accidentally using them and can cause cross-contamination. Returning expired items to a supplier isn’t a reliable or standard practice for in-house prep; disposal follows the proper waste procedures and helps keep inventory accurate.