Sponges and cleaning cloths used for galley utensils and equipment must be washed and sanitized: before cleaning food-contact surfaces and after each meal period.

• A. After each meal period only
• B. Before cleaning food-contact surfaces only
• C. Before cleaning food-contact surfaces and after each meal period
• D. At the end of the day only

Answer: (C)

Sponges and cleaning cloths used in the galley can harbor bacteria and other soils, so they must be cleaned themselves before they touch food-contact surfaces and kept fresh between uses. Washing removes visible and hidden soils, and sanitizing kills any remaining microorganisms. Doing this both before cleaning surfaces and after each meal period ensures you’re not transferring dirt or germs to clean equipment and that the cloths don’t become sources of contamination during service or while waiting for the next meal. If you only clean after meals, the cloths may still spread bacteria during the cleaning itself; if you only clean before, you might use a cloth that’s still dirty from a previous activity. Ending the day doesn’t address contamination that can occur during service. So the best practice is to wash and sanitize the cloths before cleaning food-contact surfaces and after each meal period.