Before using a thermometer, what important step must be taken aside from calibration?

Sanitizing the thermometer before use is crucial for ensuring food safety. This step helps prevent cross-contamination, which can occur if the thermometer has been in contact with raw foods or surfaces that could harbor harmful bacteria. By sanitizing the thermometer, you are minimizing the risk of introducing pathogens into the food you are measuring, thus protecting both the food and the consumers.

While checking for visible damage is also important to ensure the thermometer functions correctly and is safe to use, it does not directly address the need to maintain hygiene. Ensuring that the thermometer is dried thoroughly and storing it properly are good practices, but they do not directly contribute to preventing contamination when measuring food temperatures. Sanitization is a key step in maintaining food safety standards in any food handling situation.