What should be done with contaminated food?

Contaminated food poses health risks, as it may harbor harmful pathogens, bacteria, or toxins that can cause foodborne illnesses. The most responsible and safest approach to handling such food is to discard it immediately. This ensures that there is no possibility of consuming food that could lead to illness. Actions like freezing, cooking, or washing contaminated food do not eliminate all potential hazards. For instance, freezing might temporarily pause bacterial growth, but it won’t remove toxins already present. Cooking food thoroughly can make it safe only if the pathogens are killed by heat, but it cannot address any toxins that may have formed prior to cooking. Washing may remove some surface contaminants, but it does not guarantee the safety of the food. Therefore, immediate disposal is the only way to ensure that individuals do not face health dangers associated with contaminated food.