Final answer:
In the absence of hot water, food establishments can serve food using a sanitizing solution to ensure proper sanitation or disposable utensils to avoid the risk of contamination.
Step-by-step explanation:
If hot water is not available in the ware-washing sink, food establishments can still serve food by using different methods to ensure proper sanitation is maintained. Among the options provided, the best choice would be to use a sanitizing solution. Sanitizing solutions are designed to reduce the number of microbes on surfaces to safe levels, as required for public health. This practice helps in preventing the spread of foodborne diseases and maintains hygiene standards in food-related operations. It is important to note that using disposable utensils is also a viable option, as they would not require sanitization and could be discarded after a single use, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.
For microbial control, it is critical to use the appropriate agents whether it's in the form of heat or chemical solutions. Sanitizing solutions might contain active ingredients such as chlorine bleach or other disinfectants to eliminate harmful organisms and bacteria. While cold or boiling water alone is generally not enough to sanitize dishes, they may sometimes be used in conjunction with chemical sanitizers to achieve the desired level of cleanliness.