For how long must items be soaked during heat sanitizing?

The correct duration for soaking items during heat sanitizing is 30 seconds. This specific time frame is based on guidelines established by food safety programs to ensure that surfaces or equipment reach a sufficient temperature to effectively kill harmful microorganisms. By submerging items in water that is at the proper temperature for this duration, it allows adequate exposure to the heat, ensuring sanitization.

Choosing other time frames may not provide enough exposure to achieve proper sanitization. For example, soaking for less than 30 seconds might not guarantee that all pathogens are effectively reduced to safe levels. Therefore, adhering to the 30-second guideline is essential for maintaining food safety standards in a food service environment like Whataburger.