What should be done with all containers and utensils before their use with food products?

The correct choice involves washing, rinsing, sanitizing, and air drying all containers and utensils before they come into contact with food products. This process is essential for ensuring food safety and preventing cross-contamination.

Washing removes food particles, dirt, and any residual contaminants on surfaces. Rinsing is critical to ensure that any cleaning agents used during the washing phase are eliminated, as residues can pose health risks. Sanitizing is a crucial step that involves applying a solution that significantly reduces the number of pathogenic bacteria to safe levels, thus providing an additional layer of safety for food preparations. Finally, air drying is important because using towels can reintroduce contaminants onto the cleaned surfaces.

Each step plays a vital role in maintaining health standards within food handling practices, making this comprehensive process essential for safe food operation in any back-of-house environment.