What is the first step in creating a safe food contact surface?

The first step in creating a safe food contact surface is cleaning, not sanitizing. While sanitizing is an important part of the process, cleaning must occur first to remove any food particles, dirt, grease, and other contaminants from the surface. If a surface is not properly cleaned, sanitizing may not be effective, as the presence of debris can hinder the action of sanitizer.

Cleaning involves using a detergent and water to thoroughly scrub and remove residues. Only after cleaning can sanitizing occur, which involves applying a sanitizer to kill any remaining pathogens. Therefore, the effective sequence starts with cleaning, followed by sanitizing, ensuring that food contact surfaces are safe for use in food preparation and service.