How should food-contact surfaces be sanitized after use?

Sanitizing food-contact surfaces is crucial to ensure the safety of food preparation and prevent contamination. Submerging these surfaces in a sanitizing solution for at least one minute is the appropriate method. This process effectively reduces the number of harmful microorganisms to safe levels.

Using a sanitizer solution specifically designed for food-contact surfaces helps in achieving this by eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses. It is important that the sanitizer used is appropriate for the type of surface and is used according to the manufacturer's instructions for effectiveness.

Other methods such as wiping with a cloth, rinsing with plain water, or allowing surfaces to air dry without cleaning do not provide the same level of assurance for sanitation. Wiping may just redistribute bacteria rather than eliminate them, rinsing with water can leave behind harmful residues, and air drying without proper cleaning does not adequately address sanitation needs, leaving surfaces potentially unsafe for food contact. Thus, the method of submerging in sanitizer is the most reliable option for ensuring that food-contact surfaces are properly sanitized.