Key Takeaways
- Cold TCS foods must be 41°F or below at delivery
- Reject bulging, deeply dented, or rusty cans
- Ice crystals on frozen food = thawed and refrozen = reject
- Keep shellstock tags for 90 days
- Check packaging, temperatures, dates, and quality for every delivery
Last updated: January 2026
5.1 Receiving Food Deliveries
Food safety begins at receiving. Inspecting deliveries and rejecting unsafe food prevents many problems.
Inspecting Deliveries
When food arrives, check:
1. Temperature:
| Food Type | Accept If |
|---|---|
| Cold TCS foods | 41°F (5°C) or below |
| Frozen foods | Frozen solid (0°F/-18°C or below) |
| Hot TCS foods | 135°F (57°C) or above |
| Live shellfish | 45°F (7°C) or below |
2. Packaging:
- Packages should be intact, not torn or damaged
- Cans should be free of dents, rust, or bulging
- Vacuum-sealed packages should have tight seals
- Frozen items should have no ice crystals (sign of thawing)
3. Date Labels:
- Check "use by" and "sell by" dates
- Reject expired products
- Document receiving dates for FIFO system
4. Quality:
- Fresh produce: firm, no wilting, mold, or insects
- Meat: appropriate color, no off-odors, no slime
- Fish: clear eyes, firm flesh, mild ocean smell
- Dairy: fresh smell, no curdling
Signs of Unsafe Food - REJECT If:
| Issue | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Above safe temperature | Bacteria may have grown |
| Ice crystals on frozen food | Has been thawed and refrozen |
| Damaged packaging | May be contaminated |
| Dented, bulging, or rusty cans | May contain botulism toxin |
| Off-odors or unusual colors | Spoilage or contamination |
| Pest damage | Contamination and disease |
| Missing date labels | Can't verify freshness |
Shellfish Requirements
Live shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) require special handling:
- Check the shellstock identification tag
- Tag must show: source, harvest location, date
- Keep tags for 90 days after selling last shellfish from container
- Keep separate from other foods
For the Exam: Remember the 90-day shellfish tag retention requirement - this is frequently tested.
Test Your Knowledge
At what temperature should cold TCS food be when delivered?
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Test Your Knowledge
You should reject a delivery of canned goods if:
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D
Test Your Knowledge
How long must shellstock identification tags be kept on file?
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Test Your Knowledge
Ice crystals on frozen food packaging typically indicate:
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D