Food should be rotated so that:

• A. Use the newest items first
• B. Older items are used first
• C. Rotate items by color
• D. Randomize stock without date

Answer: (B)

Rotating stock by using the oldest items first is about preventing spoilage and keeping food safe, a practice often called FIFO (First In, First Out). By using items in order of their dates, you ensure products are consumed before their shelf life runs out, which reduces waste and lowers the risk of safety issues from expired or degraded foods. In everyday practice, you place older dated items at the front and newer ones behind, and you routinely check dates during restocking. Using the newest items first can let older inventory sit past its safe window, which isn’t reliable for safety or quality. Rotating by color isn’t a trustworthy indicator of freshness, and randomizing stock without dates ignores the critical time factor.