What should be done if food is suspected of being contaminated?

Discarding suspected contaminated food is the most appropriate action because it prevents the risk of foodborne illness. If food is believed to be contaminated, consuming it could pose serious health risks to consumers. Pathogens or harmful substances might not be eliminated through cooking or reheating, especially if they are heat-resistant toxins or bacteria that can still cause illness after preparation.

Re-cooking, serving it after inspection, or storing it for later use could lead to serious health consequences, as these methods do not guarantee that the food is safe for consumption. The safest course of action is to eliminate the risk entirely by disposing of the potentially hazardous food. Doing so ensures that no one is put at risk of foodborne illness from contaminated products.