What is the purpose of sanitizing food contact surfaces?

The purpose of sanitizing food contact surfaces is primarily to reduce pathogens to safe levels. This step is crucial in food safety practices because surfaces that come into contact with food can harbor bacteria and other harmful microorganisms that can lead to foodborne illnesses. Sanitation processes are designed to eliminate or significantly decrease the number of these pathogens to levels that are considered safe for health.

While removing food particles and debris is important in maintaining cleanliness, it does not necessarily eliminate pathogens. Enhancing flavor and appearance is not related to sanitation. Furthermore, it is not feasible to eliminate all types of bacteria entirely from surfaces; instead, the goal is to reduce them to a manageable level to ensure food safety. Thus, the focus of sanitizing is specifically to make surfaces safe to use by minimizing health risks associated with bacteria and viruses.