When a batch is suspected of contamination, which action is appropriate?

• A. Dispose of all products.
• B. Isolate affected lots and hold materials; notify authorities and customers as required; track distribution; maintain recall records.
• C. Continuing production.
• D. Ignore the batch.

Answer: (B)

When contamination is suspected, you must act to contain the issue, preserve evidence, and communicate with those affected. The appropriate action is to isolate the affected lots and hold materials so they cannot be used or sold, giving you time to investigate without spreading the problem. At the same time, notify the relevant authorities and customers as required by regulations, and begin tracking distribution to identify every potentially affected product. Keeping thorough recall records shows what was done, when, and to whom, supporting accountability and regulatory compliance.

Disposing of all products immediately can be wasteful or inappropriate without first confirming the scope of contamination, continuing production would risk spreading contamination, and ignoring the issue is unsafe and unacceptable.