What should be done if food is received at the wrong temperature?

Receiving food at the wrong temperature is a significant concern in food safety, as it can promote the growth of harmful bacteria and compromise the safety of the food product. The correct action in this situation is to refuse the delivery. When food arrives at temperatures outside of the safe range, it poses a risk to public health, and handling it further increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Refusing the delivery allows for the immediate assessment of the issue and prevents the potentially unsafe food from being integrated into the inventory or served to customers. This step is crucial for maintaining food safety standards and ensuring that only safe, high-quality products are served.

Logging the information and then putting the food away, or accepting the delivery, could lead to serious risks, as it may not be safe to use or store food that has been improperly transported. Storing it for later use does not solve the underlying problem of the improper temperature, as food that has been exposed to temperatures outside of the safety zone can lead to increased bacteria levels, making it dangerous for consumption.