Which of the following is a key practice in food safety?

Regularly checking food expiration dates is a crucial practice in food safety because it helps ensure that food is consumed while still safe. When food items go beyond their expiration dates, they may harbor harmful bacteria or become spoiled, leading to foodborne illnesses. By checking these dates consistently, food handlers can identify which items are still safe to serve and which should be discarded.

This practice is especially important in environments such as restaurants, cafes, and other food service operations where the safety of food directly impacts customer health. It promotes a proactive approach to managing inventory and reduces the risks associated with serving outdated or potentially harmful food products. In contrast, practices like keeping food at room temperature, using any available cleaning substances, or relying solely on visual inspections can lead to unsafe food conditions.