How should food contact surfaces be cleaned?

To ensure food safety and prevent cross-contamination, food contact surfaces must be cleaned effectively and sanitized properly. Selecting a chemical disinfectant after cleaning is essential because cleaning with soap and water removes food residues and debris, while the disinfectant destroys harmful bacteria and viruses that may remain. This two-step process is necessary to maintain hygiene standards in any food handling environment.

Using only soap and water might not eliminate all pathogens, and solely relying on hot water does not provide the necessary chemical action to sanitize effectively. Additionally, using a cloth without any cleaning products would not properly remove contaminants or provide sanitation, leaving surfaces potentially unsafe for food preparation. Therefore, the combination of thorough cleaning followed by disinfection is the most effective approach to maintain safe food contact surfaces.