✓ TradeExamPro

TradeExamPro › Safety › Food safety manager and handler

Cleaning sanitizing practice questions

19 questions from the food safety manager and handler practice test.

Cleaning sanitizing practice test

10 questions, graded as you go, with the reason for every answer. No sign-up.

What this covers

Sample questions

What is the correct order of steps for cleaning and sanitizing a prep table?

  1. Scrape, wash, rinse, sanitize, air-dry
  2. Scrape, sanitize, wash, rinse, towel-dry
  3. Wash, sanitize, rinse, scrape, air-dry
  4. Rinse, wash, scrape, sanitize, towel-dry
Show the answer

A. Scrape, wash, rinse, sanitize, air-dry

Food bits are removed first, then the surface is washed with detergent, rinsed, sanitized and left to air-dry. Sanitizing before washing fails because soil and detergent residue block the sanitizer.

Reference: FDA Food Code 2022, 4-603.12 through 4-603.16 and 4-901.11

Why must a surface be rinsed after washing and before sanitizing?

  1. Rinsing kills the bacteria that washing missed
  2. Rinse water warms the surface for the sanitizer
  3. Leftover detergent can make the sanitizer less effective
  4. Rinsing is what removes dried-on food particles
Show the answer

C. Leftover detergent can make the sanitizer less effective

Detergent residue and loosened soil can neutralize or dilute chemical sanitizers, so they are rinsed away first. Rinsing does not kill pathogens; that is the job of the sanitizing step.

Reference: FDA Food Code 2022, 4-603.16

A slicer in a room-temperature prep area is used continuously through the day to slice deli meats. At least how often must it be cleaned and sanitized?

  1. Every 8 hours
  2. Once per shift
  3. Every 4 hours
  4. Once every 24 hours
Show the answer

C. Every 4 hours

Food-contact surfaces in constant use with TCS food must be cleaned and sanitized at least every 4 hours so that bacteria in food residue cannot build up to dangerous numbers. Once a shift or once a day leaves residue in the danger zone too long.

Reference: FDA Food Code 2022, 4-602.11

Other topics