How often should food contact surfaces be sanitized?

Food contact surfaces should be sanitized after each use or as needed when switching between food types to minimize the risk of cross-contamination. This practice is essential in maintaining food safety, particularly when working with different types of food that may harbor different pathogens. For example, switching from raw meat to ready-to-eat foods requires proper sanitation to eliminate any harmful bacteria that may have transferred during the handling process.

Cleaning and sanitizing surfaces frequently provides a safer environment for food preparation and helps adhere to best practices in food safety. This frequency of sanitization supports compliance with health regulations and promotes overall public health. Other options, such as once a day or only before preparing raw food, do not adequately address the ongoing risk of cross-contamination that occurs throughout food handling activities.