Besides gloves, which of the following must be cleaned before using?

In a food service environment, maintaining cleanliness and preventing contamination is crucial for food safety. Cleaning equipment and tools before use is an essential practice to minimize the risk of foodborne illness.

A food thermometer, in particular, is vital for accurately measuring the internal temperatures of food. If the thermometer is not cleaned before each use, it can transfer harmful bacteria from one food item to another, compromising food safety. By ensuring that the thermometer is sterile, you can trust the readings it provides, which is essential for cooking food to safe temperatures and preventing foodborne illnesses.

Although other items such as utensils, food contact surfaces, and cooking appliances also require regular cleaning, the focus here is specifically on the importance of cleaning a food thermometer before usage to ensure it doesn’t contaminate food. Thus, the emphasis on the thermometer underscores its specific role in food safety practices.