Definition of Sanitation
The word sanitation comes from the Latin word sanitas, which means "health." In the food industry, sanitation means creating and maintaining hygienic and healthful conditions. Scientific principles are used by healthy food handlers in a hygienic environment to produce wholesome food. Sanitation can reduce the growth of microorganisms on equipment and dirt on food. This can reduce contamination of food by microorganisms that cause food borne illness and food spoilage. Sanitation is more than just cleanliness. Food or equipment can be free of visible dirt and still be contaminated with microorganisms or chemicals that can cause illness or food spoilage.