Which best describes 'clear and clean as you go'?

• A. Keep work areas clean and tidy; don't let waste food and dirty equipment build up; remove spillages and waste packaging immediately.
• B. Only clean after the shift ends.
• C. Clean only when there is visible dirt.
• D. Use only water to wash equipment.

Answer: (B)

Clear and clean as you go means staying on top of cleanliness during work, not letting tasks end with dirty areas or equipment piling up. It’s about actively cleaning as you perform activities—wiping spills as soon as they happen, keeping surfaces clear, and putting away or washing used items right away. This keeps food areas safe, reduces the chance of cross-contamination, and makes the job easier because you’re always dealing with a manageable level of mess rather than a big cleanup at the end.

So, the description that fits this approach is to keep work areas clean and tidy, prevent waste and dirty equipment from building up, and remove spillages immediately. Waiting until the end of a shift allows contaminants to multiply and spreads; cleaning only when you see obvious dirt misses hidden bacteria; and using only water won’t remove grease or kill microorganisms, which requires appropriate detergents and sanitizers.