What does a date on ready-to-eat TCS food indicate?

The date on ready-to-eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) food serves as a critical marker indicating by when the food must be sold, eaten, or discarded to ensure safety and quality. This date is essential for preventing foodborne illnesses, as TCS foods can support the growth of harmful bacteria if not handled correctly.

By clearly marking this date, food managers can ensure that items are consumed while they are still safe, thus minimizing the risk of food spoilage and illness. TCS foods are particularly prone to rapid spoilage when held at unsafe temperatures, so this date helps in maintaining compliance with health regulations and ensuring customer safety.

In contrast, other options do not accurately capture the purpose of the date on TCS food. For example, indicating when food must be reheated, frozen for storage, or consumed hot is not the primary concern related to the date setup, which focuses on overall safety and usability in terms of consumption or disposal.