Question

If fish have cloudy eyes and soft flesh, the delivery should be -

A) Accepted and refrigerated immediately
B) Rejected and returned to the supplier
C) Cooked thoroughly to eliminate bacteria
D) Stored in the freezer for later use

Answer 1

Fish with cloudy eyes and soft flesh should be rejected and returned to the supplier as they indicate spoilage.

Step-by-step explanation

If fish have cloudy eyes and soft flesh, the delivery should be rejected and returned to the supplier. These signs indicate the fish may not be fresh, and it could potentially be spoiled or contaminated, posing a health risk if consumed. Furthermore, even if you consider cooking the fish thoroughly to eliminate bacteria, the quality of the fish has already been compromised, which could affect taste and safety. Freezing the fish would not restore its freshness and would likely not eliminate all potential hazards.

It is crucial to follow food safety guidelines when handling seafood, to prevent foodborne illness. While freezing below -2 °C may stop microbial growth and even kill susceptible organisms, it doesn't reverse spoilage. Consuming fish in such a state would still be risky. The US Department of Agriculture emphasizes that foods should be frozen or cooked to safe temperatures to eliminate parasites and bacteria.