How often should food contact surfaces be cleaned and sanitized?

Food contact surfaces should be cleaned and sanitized after every use or when switching between different food types to prevent cross-contamination. This practice is critical in maintaining food safety standards, as it helps to eliminate pathogens and food residues that could lead to foodborne illnesses. For instance, if you use a cutting board for raw meat and then switch to preparing salad, cleaning and sanitizing the board between these tasks is essential to ensure no harmful bacteria from the raw meat contaminate the fresh produce.

While other options suggest various intervals for cleaning, they do not adequately address the need for immediate action following different food preparation tasks. Keeping surfaces consistently clean and sanitized helps in maintaining a safe food environment, ultimately protecting customers and upholding health regulations.