What is the final step when cleaning and sanitizing in a 3-compartment sink?

The final step in a 3-compartment sink cleaning process is air drying on a clean, sanitized surface after sanitizing the dishes, without towel drying to avoid contamination.

Explanation:

The final step when cleaning and sanitizing in a 3-compartment sink is to allow the dishes to air dry on a clean and sanitized surface. Sanitizing can be achieved using high temperature water or a chemical sanitizing agent. It is crucial that the dishes are neither towel-dried nor wiped with a cloth after sanitizing because this can reintroduce bacteria and other microorganisms to the clean dishes. Throughout the cleaning process, attention must be paid to ensure that all areas of the utensils are covered, as Steven points out with respect to the bottom inches of the basin. Additionally, in settings such as hospitals or food service industries, the sanitizing procedures include using chemical disinfectants or thermal methods to remove microbes to safe levels, as implied by the text reference to commercial dishwashers and surface sanitization in hospital rooms. These vigilant procedures help prevent outbreaks of pathogens, such as CRE (Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae), ensuring high standards of hygiene and safety.