What is ready to eat tcs food must be marked with the date by which it must be sold?

Ready-to-eat TCS (Time/Temperature Control for Safety) foods prepared in-house must be marked with a date indicating when the food should be sold, consumed, or discarded. This is crucial for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and ensuring food safety.

  • Date Marking: The date%20marking should clearly indicate the "use-by" or "sell-by" date.

  • Time Limit: Generally, refrigerated, ready-to-eat TCS food can only be stored for a maximum of 7 days, starting from the day the food was prepared. This includes the day of preparation. After 7 days, the food must be discarded. For example, if food is prepared on Monday, it should be used by the following Monday.

  • Proper Labeling: Ensure that proper%20labeling includes the name of the food item and the date.

  • First-In, First-Out (FIFO): Utilize the FIFO principle to ensure that older items are used before newer items.

  • Temperature Control: Proper temperature%20control is critical throughout the entire process, from preparation to storage, to maintain food safety.

  • Exceptions: Some foods may have different storage requirements, so it's important to follow specific guidelines for those items.