What is the proper dishwashing procedure?

The correct procedure for dishwashing is to wash, rinse, sanitize, and then air dry. This sequence is essential for ensuring that all dishes, utensils, and cookware are properly cleaned and safe for use.

Initially, washing removes food particles, grease, and other contaminants from the surfaces. During this step, hot soapy water is typically used to effectively clean items. Following the washing process, rinsing is crucial, as it removes any leftover soap and debris from the surfaces of the items cleaned.

The sanitizing step comes next, where a sanitizing solution is applied to kill pathogens that might be present and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. This is a critical component of food safety, as simply washing and rinsing does not eliminate harmful bacteria. Finally, air drying is important because it prevents any new contaminants from re-entering the clean items, and ensures that any remaining sanitizing solution can evaporate completely.

This structured approach minimizes food safety risks effectively, which is why it is considered the correct method. The other options deviate from this necessary sequence, either skipping the sanitization step or altering the order, which could compromise food safety standards.