How should a food handler respond to receiving a delivery of improperly labeled food?

When a food handler receives a delivery of improperly labeled food, the most appropriate response is to reject the shipment and notify the supplier for clarification. This action is crucial for maintaining food safety and compliance with regulations.

Improper labeling can lead to significant risks, such as allergic reactions, miscommunication of ingredients, and violations of food safety laws. Rejecting the shipment ensures that the food handler does not accept potentially hazardous or mislabeled products that could jeopardize customers' safety. By notifying the supplier, the food handler facilitates a correction process, allowing the supplier to address the labeling issue and prevent similar occurrences in future shipments.

Accepting the shipment and documenting the labels does not mitigate the risks associated with improperly labeled food. Similarly, using the items and reporting the issue later could expose customers to unlisted allergens or other safety concerns, which is irresponsible and could have serious repercussions. Storing the items and attempting to fix the labels also puts the food handler at risk of legal liability and does not ensure compliance with food safety standards. Therefore, rejecting the shipment and involving the supplier is the best course of action to uphold food safety protocols.