Handling Thawed Pork Chops Safely

What should the food handler do with the case of thawed pork chops?

1) Return the case to the supplier
2) Sell the thawed pork chops
3) Re-freeze the pork chops
4) Cook the pork chops immediately

Final answer:

When frozen pork chops are received thawed, the safest action is to return the case to the supplier to prevent any potential health risks related to improper thawing and to maintain food safety.

Explanation:

When frozen pork chops are received thawed, they should be handled with care to ensure food safety. The food handler must consider that freezing below -2 °C halts microbial growth but does not necessarily kill all organisms. Once thawed, microbial growth can resume. Therefore, thawed frozen pork chops should be handled as fresh perishables.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the safe ways to thaw frozen foods include in the refrigerator, in cold water changed every 30 minutes, or in the microwave. The most appropriate action to take would be to return the case to the supplier. It is unsafe to sell the thawed pork chops without knowing how they were thawed, and it is generally not recommended to refreeze thawed meats due to potential quality and safety concerns. Cooking the pork chops immediately is not a suitable option without verifying that they have been held at safe temperatures during transit.