Final answer:
The manager should reject the delivery of partially thawed, torn packages of frozen steaks to ensure food safety. Storing foods correctly is crucial to prevent bacterial growth. Contacting the supplier after rejection is important for addressing the issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
When partially thawed, torn packages of frozen steaks are delivered to an operation, the action that the manager should take is to reject the delivery. This is critical because the safety of the food cannot be ensured. If steaks, which should be kept frozen, are partially thawed, this may indicate that they have been stored at unsafe temperatures, allowing bacteria to grow. Furthermore, torn packaging can lead to contamination.
Thawing frozen foods should be done slowly in a refrigerator or quickly in a microwave or with cool water, not at room temperature, as it can activate microbes preserved in the frozen state. Foods in a freezer should be kept at temperatures below 18 degrees C (0 degrees F), and once thawed, should not be refrozen.
If the packages of steaks have been compromised, contacting the supplier is also a viable step after rejecting the delivery, as it enables the operation to maintain food safety standards and address issues with the supplier.