Which statement describes sanitizing?

Which statement describes sanitizing?

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

Answer: (A)

Sanitizing means reducing the number of germs on a surface to safe levels, especially on surfaces that will contact food. In practice, you first clean to remove dirt and debris, then sanitize to lower any remaining germs to a level considered safe by health guidelines. This sequence matters because cleaning helps sanitizers work more effectively by removing soils that can shield germs. Sanitizing isn’t the same as sterilizing, which would aim to kill all microorganisms and isn’t necessary for everyday kitchen surfaces. It also isn’t limited to after cooking, and it isn’t about cleaning without reducing germs.

Sanitizing means reducing the number of germs on a surface to safe levels, especially on surfaces that will contact food. In practice, you first clean to remove dirt and debris, then sanitize to lower any remaining germs to a level considered safe by health guidelines. This sequence matters because cleaning helps sanitizers work more effectively by removing soils that can shield germs. Sanitizing isn’t the same as sterilizing, which would aim to kill all microorganisms and isn’t necessary for everyday kitchen surfaces. It also isn’t limited to after cooking, and it isn’t about cleaning without reducing germs.