What is one of the primary reasons to regularly check food expiration dates?

Regularly checking food expiration dates is crucial primarily to avoid foodborne illness. Food expiration dates help ensure that the food being served or sold is safe for consumption. Consuming food past its expiration date can lead to various health risks, including food poisoning, as harmful bacteria can proliferate in expired products. By monitoring these dates, food handlers and establishments can proactively prevent the risk of serving spoiled or unsafe food to customers, thereby ensuring public health and safety.

While maintaining inventory records, improving marketing strategies, and maintaining employee standards are also important aspects of managing food safety and service, they do not directly address the core issue of preventing illness associated with consuming expired products. Checking expiration dates is a direct action that directly impacts consumer health, making it a primary focus in food safety practices.