What should you check before accepting a delivery of food?

Before accepting a delivery of food, it's crucial to check temperature, packaging integrity, and expiration dates. This thorough examination ensures that the food meets safety standards and is still fresh for consumption.

Temperature is vital because potentially hazardous foods need to be kept at safe temperatures to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. For example, cold foods should be at or below 41°F, while hot foods should be at or above 135°F upon delivery. This immediate assessment can prevent foodborne illnesses.

Packaging integrity is essential to ensure that there are no breaches or compromised seals that may expose food to contaminants. Damaged packaging can lead to spoilage and pose health risks.

Expiration dates help determine the freshness and safety of the food being delivered. Accepting goods that are past their expiration can compromise food safety.

While other options may include relevant factors, they do not encompass the essential safety checks required before accepting a food delivery. Labeling and shipping costs, for example, do not have a direct impact on food safety in the same way that temperature, packaging integrity, and expiration dates do.