In a food processing factory, the health department declares the meat grinder unsafe due to leaking hydraulic fluid, and the company needs to replace it. What action should the company take?

1) Repair the meat grinder
2) Continue using the meat grinder as it is
3) Replace the meat grinder
4) Ignore the health department's warning

The company should replace the meat grinder to ensure food safety and comply with health regulations after it has been deemed unsafe due to leaking hydraulic fluid, as it poses a serious risk of contamination.

Explanation:

When the health department deems a meat grinder unsafe for use in a food processing factory, it is of utmost importance for the safety of consumers and the integrity of the food production process to take the necessary corrective action. Given that leaking hydraulic fluid has been identified, which poses a contamination risk, the correct action for the company would be to replace the meat grinder. Using contaminated equipment can lead to added contaminants in the food, such as microorganisms or physical hazards, which can cause foodborne illnesses and potentially lead to equipment failure and legal liabilities for the company.

Maintenance of food processing equipment should always prioritize food safety and compliance with health regulations. Therefore, option 3, to replace the meat grinder, is the appropriate action to prevent any health risks associated with the contamination and to ensure the continuation of safe food production operations.