"One of the worst red flags is spotting an employee putting new food on top of old food. Not only is this a food safety issue, but it is also a clear sign that the buffet isn't on top of its game in other realms, too, and that it should be avoided at all costs. In general, buffets are full of bacteria, primarily because bacteria from people's hands can contaminate food as they're serving themselves."
"Serving new food over old food exacerbates the already-existing bacteria: Older, room temperature food allows bacteria to multiply quickly, so if new food is served over old, that new food is going to become instantly contaminated, meaning your fresh plate of piping hot mac and cheese might not be so fresh after all. If there's any sort of visible contamination in the food, the buffet staff should replace the the batch right away, regardless of the food waste that will inevitably ensue."
Buffets pose elevated bacterial risk because diners' hands frequently contaminate self-serve food. Placing new food on top of older, room-temperature food accelerates bacterial growth and can instantly contaminate the fresh items. Proper practice requires removing and replacing the entire serving receptacle and replacing visibly contaminated batches immediately, regardless of food waste. Observing staff topping new food over old food is a major red flag that signals broader food safety failures and should prompt diners to choose another restaurant. Consumers should visually inspect serving practices and avoid buffets that appear lax about contamination control.
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