What characteristic often defines food served in institutional settings sometimes labeled as substandard (but still safe)?

Answer

It might contain lower-grade cuts of meat or ingredients diverted due to minor defects or nearing expiration.

Institutional food often implies a sliding scale of quality where ingredients diverted from the consumer market due to minor defects or nearing expiration are used, yet remain safe enough for that regulated environment.

What characteristic often defines food served in institutional settings sometimes labeled as substandard (but still safe)?
meaningfoodSafetyconsumptionstandard