Here are the key points about cleaning and sanitizing:
- Cleaning removes dirt, food particles, and grease/oil from surfaces. It does not necessarily kill microorganisms. Cleaning is done using detergents.
- Sanitizing reduces the number of microorganisms to safe levels through the use of heat or chemicals. The goal is to kill germs and bacteria that cause disease.
- Both cleaning and sanitizing are important to ensure food safety. Cleaning removes soil that harbors microbes, while sanitizing kills any remaining microbes.
- Common sanitizing methods include heat (171°F hot water or 165°F for dish machines), chlorine, i