What should be done with food that has been dropped on the floor?

Food that has been dropped on the floor should be discarded and not served because it can become contaminated with bacteria or other harmful substances present on the floor. Floors, especially in food service areas, can harbor pathogens, dirt, and chemicals that pose a risk to food safety. Even if the food appears to be clean after falling, thorough cleaning is not feasible in most cases, and serving it could endanger the health of consumers. Food safety guidelines prioritize minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses, and discarding food that has come into contact with contaminated surfaces is a key practice to ensure those guidelines are met.