What action constitutes a corrective action after a temperature log shows out of range?

• A. Ignore the deviation
• B. Attempt to cover up
• C. Investigate deviation, take corrective action, document, and determine if product is safe or recall if necessary
• D. Reassign blame to operator

Answer: (C)

When a temperature reading goes out of range, you must take a corrective action that directly addresses the issue and protects product safety. This means you investigate the deviation to find the cause (such as equipment fault, calibration drift, or an operational error), implement the appropriate corrective steps to bring the process back into specification (repair or recalibrate equipment, adjust settings, or retrain staff), and thoroughly document what happened, what actions were taken, and the outcome. Afterward, you determine whether any product produced during the excursion is safe or if a recall or segregation is needed. This approach ensures traceability, accountability, and a defensible decision about product safety. Ignoring the deviation, attempting to cover it up, or blaming someone do not address safety and undermine food safety practices.