Define disinfection.

• A. The process of cleaning to remove residue.
• B. The process of storing food properly.
• C. The process of heating to sterilize food.
• D. The process of reducing micro organisms to a safe level. The chemical used is a disinfectant.

Answer: (D)

Disinfection means lowering the number of microorganisms to a level that is safe for handling and consumption. It targets pathogens specifically and is about reducing risk, not necessarily removing all microbes or residues. While cleaning removes soil and residue and sterilization would kill all microorganisms, disinfection uses methods (often a chemical disinfectant) to bring microbial levels down to a safe point.