A food worker has finished cutting raw chicken on a cutting board. What must he do before using this cutting board to slice potatoes? O a. Peel the potatoes O b. Sanitize his hands O c. Clean and sanitize the cutting board O d. Scrape off any remaining chicken
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: O c. Clean and sanitize the cutting board
When a food worker finishes cutting raw chicken, they must clean and sanitize the cutting board before using it to prepare other foods like potatoes. This is a critical step to prevent cross-contamination, which occurs when harmful bacteria from raw meat come into contact with ready-to-eat or non-meat foods. Raw poultry, including chicken, often contains pathogens such as Salmonella or Campylobacter that can cause serious foodborne illnesses.
Cleaning the cutting board involves using hot, soapy water to remove visible food particles, grease, and residues. However, cleaning alone does not kill all bacteria. That is why the next step, sanitizing, is also essential. Sanitizing means applying a food-safe chemical or heat treatment that reduces or eliminates microorganisms to safe levels. Most commercial kitchens use sanitizing solutions such as diluted bleach or commercial-grade sanitizers that are approved for food contact surfaces.
Choosing answer c ensures that the food worker follows food safety regulations recommended by health authorities like the FDA and CDC. This step is legally required in many food establishments and is considered best practice in both commercial and home kitchens.
The other answer choices are inadequate:
- a. Peel the potatoes does not address contamination.
- b. Sanitize his hands is important, but it does not make the cutting board safe.
- d. Scrape off any remaining chicken removes visible residue but does not eliminate bacteria.
By cleaning and sanitizing the cutting board, the food worker ensures that any bacteria from the raw chicken are removed, making it safe to use the same surface for slicing potatoes or any other food. This action protects consumers from foodborne illnesses and upholds hygiene standards in food preparation.
