Which chemical is used to remove grease, dirt, and food debris to prepare surfaces for sanitization?

The choice of detergent as the answer to the question is appropriate because detergents are specifically designed to break down and remove grease, dirt, and food debris from surfaces. This cleaning process is essential to ensure that surfaces are adequately prepared for sanitization.

Detergents contain surfactants that help lift dirt and grease away, making it easier to clean surfaces effectively. This step is crucial because although sanitizers and disinfectants kill germs, if surfaces are not properly cleaned beforehand, the presence of debris can hinder the effectiveness of these products.

Disinfectants are used after cleaning to kill pathogens, whereas sanitizers typically reduce the number of bacteria to safe levels. Exotoxins, on the other hand, are toxins produced by some bacteria and are unrelated to cleaning and sanitization processes. Therefore, while disinfectants and sanitizers play vital roles in the food safety process, detergent is the correct choice for removing contaminants before these further sanitizing steps are taken.