What should food service establishments do if they discover spoiled food?

When food service establishments discover spoiled food, the most appropriate action is to dispose of it immediately. This is crucial for maintaining food safety and protecting the health of consumers. Spoiled food can harbor harmful bacteria, toxins, or pathogens that can lead to foodborne illnesses. By disposing of spoiled food, establishments prevent the risk of serving unsafe products to customers, which could result in severe health consequences and damage the establishment's reputation.

The other options present choices that compromise food safety. Cooking spoiled food does not eliminate all the harmful substances that may be present, and it may still pose a risk to consumers. Repacking spoiled food for later sale is unsafe and unethical, as it deceives customers and further endangers public health. Storing spoiled food for future reference is not practical or safe because it allows the continued presence of hazardous food that could lead to contamination of other foods or equipment.

Thus, the correct action is to dispose of spoiled food immediately to ensure a safe dining experience for all customers and uphold food safety standards.