What does cleaning involve in food safety?

Cleaning in food safety primarily involves removing dirt, food residue, and grease from surfaces. This process is essential because contaminants can harbor harmful microorganisms that might cause foodborne illnesses. A clean surface is the foundation of safe food handling and helps prevent the cross-contamination of food products.

While eliminating microorganisms, drying surfaces, and using chemicals are important aspects of food safety and sanitation, they are typically part of a broader cleaning and sanitizing protocol rather than the cleaning process itself. Cleaning focuses on the physical removal of contaminants, which must be done before sanitizing agents can effectively operate. Maintaining cleanliness in food preparation areas directly contributes to the overall safety of food and reduces the risk of foodborne pathogens thriving in a kitchen or food service environment.