What does sanitizing mean and when should you do it?

• A. It sterilizes tools permanently.
• B. It disinfects instantly.
• C. Sanitizing reduces germs to safe levels; sanitize after cleaning surfaces that contact food.
• D. It cleans without removing germs.

Answer: (C)

Sanitizing means lowering the number of germs on a surface to a level considered safe for food contact. It’s not the same as sterilizing, which would aim to kill every germ, and it’s not the same as instant disinfection. The important idea is that sanitizing reduces the germs enough to minimize the risk of illness when foods touch that surface. In practice, you sanitize after you have cleaned the surface and removed visible dirt, because clean surfaces absorb sanitizers more effectively. This applies to areas like countertops, cutting boards, and utensils that will contact food. Use a sanitizer at the right strength and for the required contact time, then let it air dry or rinse if the product requires it.