If food is suspected to be contaminated, what is the recommended action?

When food is suspected to be contaminated, the recommended action is to not consume it and discard it immediately. This approach is essential to prevent foodborne illness, which can result from the ingestion of contaminated food. Contaminated food can harbor harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites that may not be effectively eliminated by cooking, especially if the contamination is due to chemical toxins or if an adequate cooking temperature is not reached.

Additionally, freezing food does not kill pathogens and may allow them to become active again once thawed. While cooking can kill some germs, it does not guarantee the destruction of all toxins, making discarding the food the safest option. Rinsing under cold water may remove some surface contaminants but does not ensure the food is safe to eat, especially if the contamination is internal. Therefore, proper disposal of suspected contaminated food is the best course of action to maintain food safety.