sanitising
Sanitising is the process of reducing the number of viable microorganisms on a surface to levels deemed safe by public health standards. It is usually performed after cleaning and aims to lower microbial load to minimize the risk of infection or contamination, rather than to achieve complete sterility.
Practices combine mechanical cleaning to remove soil with chemical or thermal treatment. Chemical sanitising agents include
Applications are widespread: in the food and beverage industry to sanitize equipment, utensils, and surfaces; in
Safety and regulation: The effectiveness of sanitising is defined by standards and guidelines set by governments
Sanitising is distinct from disinfection, which aims to kill most pathogens, and from sterilisation, which seeks