What should you do with damaged food packaging?

When food packaging is damaged, it can compromise the safety and integrity of the food inside. Damage to packaging may allow contaminants to enter or could lead to spoilage, posing a risk to food safety. Therefore, the most appropriate response is to dispose of the damaged packaging to prevent possible contamination. This approach ensures that any potential hazards that could affect food safety are eliminated before they can cause harm.

Sealing damaged packaging with tape may seem like a quick fix, but it does not provide a reliable solution for contamination risks. Returning damaged packaging to the supplier or using it for temporary storage also do not address the fundamental issue of ensuring food safety; they might even introduce further risks by not adequately protecting the food from exposure to harmful pathogens or contaminants. Thus, disposing of it is the safest course of action to maintain food quality and safety.