A block of cheddar cheese has a sell-by date that expired a month ago but has been continuously refrigerated and shows no mold or off-odors. What is the most appropriate consumer action?

• A. Discard immediately because any product beyond a sell-by date is automatically unsafe and should not be consumed under any circumstances.
• B. Assume the product is safe only if the label also shows a best-by date within the last week; sell-by alone has no relevance to safety.
• C. Use sensory indicators: if there are no signs of spoilage and proper cold storage was maintained, the cheese is likely still safe to eat; discard if uncertain or if signs appear.
• D. Boil the cheese briefly to sterilize it and then it will be safe to consume despite signs of spoilage, since heating removes all risks.

Answer: (C)