Which material is prohibited for cleaning equipment, utensils, and other food-contact surfaces?

• A. Steel wool
• B. Sponges and cleaning cloths
• C. Metal polish
• D. Wooden paddles

Answer: (A)

Cleaning tools used on food-contact surfaces must not shed fibers, rust, or leave residues that could contaminate food. Steel wool is prohibited because it can shed tiny metal fibers that can contaminate food, rust over time, and scratch or gouge surfaces. Those scratches create crevices that are hard to sanitize and can harbor bacteria. In contrast, sponges and cleaning cloths are used when they’re cleaned and sanitized regularly, metal polish is for metal finishes not for contact with food and can leave harmful residues, and wooden paddles are food-contact utensils that can be cleaned and sanitized without shedding metal. So steel wool is the material you should avoid.