USDA Cleaning and Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces - Standard SOP

• Client / Site

• Implemented on

  Date

• Implemented by

• Location
  Address

• The following is a sample standard operating procedure provided by the USDA on how to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces.

• Train foodservice employees on using the procedures in this SOP.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Follow State or local health department requirements.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding the use and maintenance of equipment and use of chemicals for cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces. Refer to Storing and Using Poisonous or Toxic Chemicals SOP.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• If State or local requirements are based on the 2001 FDA Food Code, wash, rinse, and sanitize food contact surfaces of sinks, tables, equipment, utensils, thermometers, carts, and equipment:
  - Before each use
  - Between uses when preparing different types of raw animal foods, such as eggs, fish, meat, and poultry
  - Between uses when preparing ready-to-eat foods and raw animal foods, such as eggs, fish, meat, and poultry,
  - Any time contamination occurs or is suspected

Wash, rinse and sanitize procedure

• Wash, rinse, and sanitize food contact surfaces of sinks, tables, equipment, utensils, thermometers, carts, and equipment using the following procedure:

• Wash surface with detergent solution.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Rinse surface with clean water.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Sanitize surface using a sanitizing solution mixed at a concentration specified on the manufacturer’s label.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Place wet items in a manner to allow air drying.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Is a 3-compartment sink used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• In the first compartment, wash with a clean detergent solution at or above 110 oF or at the temperature specified by the detergent manufacturer.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• In the second compartment, rinse with clean water.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• In the third compartment, sanitize with a sanitizing solution mixed at a concentration specified on the manufacturer’s label or by immersing in hot water at or above 171 oF for 30 seconds. Test the chemical sanitizer concentration by using an appropriate test kit.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Is a dish machine used?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check with the dishmachine manufacturer to verify that the information on the data plate is correct.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Refer to the information on the data plate for determining wash, rinse, and sanitization (final) rinse temperatures; sanitizing solution concentrations; and water pressures, if applicable.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for use.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Ensure that food contact surfaces reach a surface temperature of 160 oF or above if using hot water to sanitize.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• During all hours of operation, visually and physically inspect food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils to ensure that the surfaces are clean.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Are you using a 3-compartment sink?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• On a daily basis:

• Visually monitor that the water in each compartment is clean.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Take the water temperature in the first compartment of the sink by using a calibrated thermometer.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• If using chemicals to sanitize, test the sanitizer concentration by using the appropriate test kit for the chemical.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• If using hot water to sanitize, use a calibrated thermometer to measure the water temperature. Refer to Using and Calibrating Thermometers SOPs.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Are you using a dishmachine?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• On a daily basis:

• Visually monitor that the water and the interior parts of the machine are clean and free of debris.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Continually monitor the temperature and pressure gauges, if applicable, to ensure that the machine is operating according to the data plate.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• For hot water sanitizing dishmachine, ensure that food contact surfaces are reaching the appropriate temperature by placing a piece of heat sensitive tape on a smallware item or a maximum registering thermometer on a rack and running the item or rack through the dishmachine.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• For chemical sanitizing dishmachine, check the sanitizer concentration on a recently washed food-contact surface using an appropriate test kit.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Retrain any foodservice employee found not following the procedures in this SOP.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Wash, rinse, and sanitize dirty food contact surfaces. Sanitize food contact surfaces if it is discovered that the surfaces were not properly sanitized. Discard food that comes in contact with food contact surfaces that have not been sanitized properly.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Are you using a 3-compartment sink?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Drain and refill compartments periodically and as needed to keep the water clean.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Adjust the water temperature by adding hot water until the desired temperature is reached.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Add more sanitizer or water, as appropriate, until the proper concentration is achieved.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Are you using a dishmachine?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Drain and refill the machine periodically and as needed to keep the water clean.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• Contact the appropriate individual(s) to have the machine repaired if the machine is not reaching the proper wash temperature indicated on the data plate.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• For a hot water sanitizing dishmachine, retest by running the machine again. If the appropriate surface temperature is still not achieved on the second run, contact the appropriate individual(s) to have the machine repaired. Wash, rinse, and sanitize in the 3-compartment sink until the machine is repaired or use disposable single service/single-use items if a 3-compartment sink is not available.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A

• For a chemical sanitizing dishmachine, check the level of sanitizer remaining in bulk container. Fill, if needed. “Prime” the machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the sanitizer is being pumped through the machine. Retest. If the proper sanitizer concentration level is not achieved, stop using the machine and contact the appropriate individual(s) to have it repaired. Use a 3-compartment sink to wash, rinse, and sanitize until the machine is repaired.

  Done

  Not Done

  N/A