Final answer:
The first step is to check the temperature of the food before deciding what to do with the shipment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step to take when receiving a shipment of potentially hazardous refrigerated food with a broken temperature gauge on the delivery truck is to check the temperature of the food. This will help determine whether the food has been kept at a safe temperature during transport. Rejecting the shipment as the first step without assessing the actual temperature of the food may not be necessary if the food is still within safe temperature limits.
Asking the driver how long the gauge has been broken can provide additional information, but it should be done after checking the temperature of the food. It may help in assessing the potential risks associated with the shipment.
In conclusion, the correct initial step would be to check the temperature of the food using a thermometer before making a decision on whether to accept or reject the shipment.