A receiving clerk notices that several cans in a delivery have deep dents on the side seams, and one can is swollen. What should the clerk do?
a.Accept the delivery and open the swollen can first, before the swelling gets any worse
b.Wipe the dented cans dry, rotate them to the shelf front, and use them this week
c.Accept the cans whose labels are intact and legible, and set the unlabeled ones aside
d.Reject the swollen and seam-dented cans, since these defects can indicate contamination such as botulism
Explanation
Cans that are swollen, leaking, rusted, or dented on a seam must be rejected, because these defects can allow contamination or indicate Clostridium botulinum growth. A swollen can is a serious warning sign of gas from toxin-forming bacteria, so opening it first or wiping it and rotating it into service is exactly wrong. An intact, legible label does not make a seam-dented or swollen can safe, and a swollen can must never be opened for tasting.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §3-202.15Practice all 500 questions free — no signup required.
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