A delivery of frozen chicken arrives partially thawed and soft, with the meat pliable rather than solid. What is the correct decision?
a.Reject it, because frozen food must be received frozen solid
b.Accept it and cook the whole case down to soup stock the same day
c.Accept it as long as the chicken still probes at 41°F or below
d.Accept it, then move it into the walk-in freezer to refreeze at once
Explanation
Frozen food must be received frozen solid; chicken that is soft and pliable shows time-temperature abuse and must be rejected. Refreezing does not undo the microbial growth that happened while the meat was thawed. Probing 41°F or below only proves the chicken is cold, and cold is the standard for refrigerated deliveries, not for a product that was purchased and shipped frozen. Cooking the case down the same day still means accepting and paying for an abused delivery. Set it aside, tell the driver, log the rejection, and return it.
Law Reference: FDA Food Code §3-202.11Practice all 500 questions free — no signup required.
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