What is one of the main objectives in keeping food service areas pest-free?

Maintaining a pest-free food service area is crucial primarily to prevent contamination of food. Pests such as rodents and insects can carry harmful bacteria and pathogens that pose a significant risk to food safety. When pests have access to food preparation and storage areas, they can introduce these contaminants directly into food products, leading to foodborne illnesses and safety violations.

Ensuring a pest-free environment is a fundamental practice in food safety protocols, as it protects both the food being served and the health of customers. Other objectives, such as reducing operating costs, ensuring customer satisfaction, and maintaining consistent food quality, are indeed important. However, they are secondary to the primary goal of preventing food contamination, which is essential for safe food handling practices.