A spill of raw meat juices on the counter should be handled by?

• A. Wipe with a dry towel.
• B. Clean with soap and hot water, then sanitize the surface.
• C. Wait until the end of activity.
• D. Put salt on it.

Answer: (B)

Cleaning and sanitizing food-contact surfaces after a spill of raw meat juices is essential to prevent cross-contamination. The best approach is to wash the counter with soap and hot water to remove soils and most bacteria, then apply a sanitizer to kill any remaining germs on the surface. This two-step method helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness when you later prepare or serve foods. Wiping with a dry towel can spread bacteria around and doesn’t remove contamination effectively. Waiting until the end of activity gives bacteria time to multiply on the surface. Simply sprinkling salt has no reliable sanitizing effect and won’t make the surface safe. If possible, use a proper sanitizer and follow the label directions for correct dilution and contact time.