Why should utensils or equipment be sanitized before cooking?

Sanitizing utensils or equipment before cooking is crucial because there is no guarantee that heat will kill all harmful microorganisms. While cooking food at high temperatures can effectively eliminate many pathogens, some microorganisms produce heat-resistant spores or toxic byproducts that remain viable even after cooking. For example, certain bacteria like Bacillus cereus can survive the cooking process if they were present in the equipment or utensils. By sanitizing before cooking, you are taking proactive steps to reduce the risk of contaminating food with these potentially dangerous microorganisms.

The other options suggest misconceptions about food safety. For instance, assuming that heat will kill all microorganisms overlooks the reality that some can withstand high temperatures. Stating that sanitizing is necessary only for equipment used with raw foods ignores cross-contamination risks. Lastly, considering sanitizing optional for utensils that appear clean neglects the fact that harmful microorganisms can be present even on visibly clean surfaces. Therefore, sanitization remains a critical step in ensuring food safety.