Question

A food handler cleans dirty dishes using hot water and then puts them away with the rest of the clean dishes. This is an example of?

1) Cross-contamination
2) Proper food handling
3) Sanitizing dishes
4) Foodborne illness prevention

Answer 1

The cleaning of dirty dishes using hot water and putting them away with clean ones exemplifies dish sanitization, which is a key practice in food safety and preventing foodborne illnesses.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a food handler cleans dirty dishes using hot water and then puts them away with the rest of the clean dishes, this is an example of sanitizing dishes. Sanitization is crucial for preventing the spread of foodborne diseases by reducing the microbial load to safe levels. Important practices in food safety include regular handwashing, avoiding cross-contamination, and proper food storage and preparation to prevent contamination.

For dishes to be considered sanitized, they must be subject to high temperatures that kill most microbes. In commercial environments, like in the food service industry, this often involves the use of commercial dishwashers with hot water and air. At home, it's important to ensure dishes are cleaned thoroughly and not just with hot water but may include use of dishwashing soap or detergents that further ensure cleanliness and sanitation.