What should be the cleaning procedure for wiping cloths in a food handling environment?

Storing wiping cloths in a solution with a concentration of 50 parts per million (PPM) of chlorine or another sanitizer is key to ensuring that they effectively reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. This solution allows the cloths to remain sanitized and ready for use, minimizing the potential for cross-contamination in the food handling environment. Regularly immersing the cloths in the sanitizer helps to kill any bacteria present on them, thus maintaining a safe environment for food preparation and serving.

While the option of storing cloths dry may seem hygienic, it does not prevent the growth of bacteria; in fact, a dry environment can allow bacteria to proliferate more quickly once the cloths become damp again. Washing cloths daily with utensils could lead to potential cross-contamination if not managed properly, as the cleanliness of the cloths and utensils could compromise food safety. Storing cloths in hot water may feel like a good solution for cleanliness; however, it does not effectively sanitize the cloths and, depending on the temperature, could allow bacteria to thrive rather than eliminate them. Therefore, maintaining wiping cloths in a properly diluted sanitizer solution is the most effective and recommended practice in a food handling environment.