Rinsing

Rinsing means washing an item with clean water to remove impurities. In food processing it is a simple but important step: fresh produce is rinsed to remove soil and reduce pesticide residues, equipment is rinsed to clear detergents and sanitizers before food contact, and containers are rinsed before filling. The water used for rinsing must itself be of suitable quality, since contaminated rinse water would defeat the purpose. Effective rinsing balances thoroughness against water use, an increasingly important consideration in plant sustainability.