A food worker cleans the inside of a pizza oven using a steel wire brush. After the oven is clean, it is set to 500 degrees to cool the pizza. What potential food hazard should the food worker consider?

When a food worker cleans a pizza oven with a steel wire brush, there are several potential food hazards to consider, particularly the risk of metal fragments becoming dislodged and contaminating the food. Here are the key points to consider:

1. Foreign Object Contamination: If metal bristles from the wire brush break off and remain in the oven, they could end up in the food, posing a serious hazard to consumers.

2. Cleanliness and Residue: It's crucial to ensure that no soap or cleaning residues are left behind, as these substances can also contaminate food and lead to foodborne illnesses.

3. Thermal Hazards: While the oven is set to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, the surfaces inside the oven can become extremely hot. Care must be taken to avoid burns when cleaning or accessing the oven, and to ensure that food does not come into contact with hot surfaces that could lead to injuries or detrimental cooking results.

Therefore, the food worker should conduct a thorough inspection after cleaning to ensure that all fragments have been removed and that the oven is safe for food preparation before placing pizza or any other food inside.