What is a critical step to take if a food item is found to be above the safe temperature range?

When a food item is found to be above the safe temperature range, discarding it immediately is essential for food safety. This step is critical because food that has been stored at unsafe temperatures for too long can allow harmful bacteria to grow to dangerous levels, which can lead to foodborne illness.

Cooling or reheating the food does not guarantee that it is safe to consume. Although it may seem practical to save food that still looks and smells fine, pathogens are often present without any visible signs. Therefore, the only safe option when food is discovered to be above the safe temperature range is to discard it to protect public health.