Final answer:
The last step in the clean in place process in a dairy plant is sanitizing, which ensures the equipment is hygienic and safe for dairy production.
Thus the correct answer is b) Sanitizing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The last step in the clean in place (CIP) procedure in a dairy plant is sanitizing. The CIP process is a method used to clean interior surfaces of pipes, vessels, equipment, filters, and associated fittings without disassembly.
The typical steps of CIP include pre-rinsing with water to remove loose residue, cleaning with a detergent to remove soils, intermediate rinsing to remove detergents, and finally sanitizing to kill any remaining microorganisms. Sanitizing is crucial for ensuring that the equipment is hygienic and safe for producing dairy products.
After sanitization, the equipment is usually allowed to dry before starting production again. It is important to note that drying is not the last step; the sanitation process must adequately reduce pathogens and is therefore considered the final critical step.
Thus the correct answer is b) Sanitizing.