What should be done if a shipment of food is received in a temperature danger zone?

Answer 1

Your action depends on what type of foods are in the shipment. I'm guessing you have taken temperatures of perishable and potentially hazardous foods and found temperatures outside the allowable range. Hopefully, you made sure your thermometers were calibrated.

What you should do in this case will be determined by how it is received.

1. If it is a direct truckload or LTL delivery, then you can/should refuse it on the spot. The trucker will likely object, but hold your ground and work with the supplier. It is the responsibility of both the supplier and trucker to assure the product is delivered in the appropriate condition.
2. If this is a mail or courier delivery, refrigerate the product immediately, do not use it and contact the supplier for refusal or return instructions.

This is often an issue when mixed-load deliveries (dry-refrig/frozen) are made without temperature-controlled equipment or there was an equipment failure.

Answer 2

Firstly do not consume or sell it. Notify the vendor of the problem and request a RMA (return material authorization). On refrigerated shipments there should be a guarantee concerning freshness.