Why should food contact surfaces be sanitized after washing?

Sanitizing food contact surfaces after washing is a crucial step in ensuring food safety. The primary purpose of this practice is to kill any remaining pathogens that may have survived the washing process. Even after thorough washing, some microorganisms can persist on surfaces, posing a risk of contamination to food items that come into contact with these surfaces.

By applying a sanitizing solution after washing, it effectively reduces the number of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens to safe levels, thereby minimizing the risk of foodborne illnesses. This process is especially important in food preparation areas where the risk of cross-contamination can lead to serious health issues.

While removing odors, drying surfaces, and achieving a clean appearance are beneficial, they do not directly address the critical concern of pathogen reduction, which is essential for safe food handling and preventing foodborne diseases.