What action should be taken if food is found to be contaminated?

When food is found to be contaminated, the appropriate action is to throw it away and not serve it. This is crucial because contaminated food poses a significant health risk, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses if consumed. Contamination can arise from various sources, including harmful bacteria, viruses, or chemicals, which cannot be adequately removed or rendered safe through rinsing or cooking.

Simply rinsing contaminated food does not eliminate pathogens and could still allow harmful microorganisms to remain. Cooking food thoroughly may destroy some pathogens, but it does not guarantee safety if the food has been compromised. Reporting to a supervisor for further assessment might be a necessary step in some contexts, but it does not address the immediate danger of serving contaminated food. Therefore, disposing of such food is the safest and most responsible action to ensure public health and safety.