A food worker uses a spatula to flip a hamburger patties as they cook on a grill. What must she do before using this spatula to assemble the completed burgers?

Before using the spatula to assemble the completed burgers, the food worker must ensure that the spatula is clean and sanitized. Here are the detailed steps she should follow:

1. Wash the Spatula: The spatula should be thoroughly washed with soap and hot water to remove any food particles or residues that may be present from flipping the raw hamburger patties.

2. Sanitize the Spatula: After washing, the spatula should be sanitized using an appropriate food-safe sanitizer. This can typically involve immersing it in a sanitizing solution, spraying it with a sanitizer, or rinsing it under hot water.

3. Inspect the Spatula: After sanitization, she should visually inspect the spatula to ensure that it is free from any leftover food bits, grime, or signs of damage.

4. Dry the Spatula: Finally, the spatula should be dried thoroughly, either by air drying or using a clean cloth, to prevent any contamination from moisture.

These steps ensure that the spatula remains hygienic, preventing cross-contamination and ensuring food safety when assembling the completed burgers.