What is the primary function of sanitizers in food service?

Sanitizers play a crucial role in food service by killing harmful bacteria and pathogens on surfaces. This function is essential in preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring food safety throughout the preparation and serving process. Surfaces such as countertops, cutting boards, and utensils can harbor bacteria from raw foods or other sources, and applying a sanitizer helps to significantly reduce these microorganisms to safe levels.

While enhancing flavor and improving the appearance of food are important aspects of food service, they are not the primary roles of sanitizers. Increasing food shelf life is relevant to the preservation of food products, but it falls outside the purview of what sanitizers do. Their focus is strictly on the microbial safety of food contact surfaces, making them an integral part of any food service operation committed to health standards.