What is the cleaning and sanitizing of food equipment, plates, and utensils called?

The cleaning and sanitizing of food equipment, plates, and utensils is called warewashing. This term specifically refers to the entire process involved in cleaning, rinsing, and sanitizing these items to ensure they are safe for food contact. Proper warewashing practices are essential in food service to prevent cross-contamination and the spread of foodborne illnesses.

Sanitization, while closely related, focuses more specifically on the reduction of harmful microorganisms to safe levels after cleaning has taken place. Hygiene is a broader term that encompasses personal cleanliness and food safety practices, not limited to the cleaning of equipment and utensils. Disinfection typically refers to the use of chemical agents to kill a broader range of pathogens, but in food service, the focus is more on sanitization specifically for food items and surfaces. Therefore, warewashing is the most accurate term that captures the entire scope of cleaning and sanitizing food-related equipment.