What should be done first when food has been recalled?

When dealing with a food recall, the immediate priority is to stop serving the potentially unsafe food. This action is crucial because it prevents any further distribution or consumption of the recalled items, thereby protecting customers from the risk of foodborne illness. Stopping service allows staff to quickly address the situation by identifying which foods need to be removed from circulation.

Following this initial step, other actions can be taken, such as labeling and storing the recalled products appropriately to ensure that they are not inadvertently served or consumed. Discarding the food can also be a necessary step, but it should occur only after the immediate risks have been managed by halting service. Ensuring a safe environment for customers is always the first concern during a recall situation.