Which of the following may indicate the product is suspicious and should be quarantined?

• A. The lot number and expiration date match the invoice.
• B. The lot number and expiration date do not match the invoice.
• C. The product is from a known good supplier.
• D. The packaging is intact.

Answer: (B)

Discrepancies between the product’s identifiers and the accompanying paperwork are a red flag. When the lot number and expiration date shown on the actual item don’t match what’s on the invoice, it raises questions about whether the wrong item was shipped, there’s mislabeling, or the product could be counterfeit or tampered with. Because lot and expiration are key for tracking recalls and ensuring safety, this misalignment warrants holding the product in quarantine until it can be verified.

If the lot and expiration matched the invoice, that would support legitimate sourcing and proper documentation. A product from a known good supplier reduces risk but does not by itself prove authenticity or freshness. Intact packaging suggests no obvious damage but doesn’t address potential mislabeling or substitution. So the mismatch is the strongest indicator of potential trouble and the action to take.