Which of the following is NOT listed as a primary determinant of sanitizer effectiveness?

• A. Skimming
• B. pH
• C. Temperature
• D. Concentration

Answer: (B)

The key factors that drive sanitizer effectiveness are using the right concentration, at an appropriate temperature, for a sufficient contact time. These three elements directly control how effectively microbes are killed on surfaces. In many food-safety guidelines used in practice, pH is not listed as one of the primary determinants you adjust during routine sanitizing, even though it can affect how some sanitizers perform. Skimming is a cleaning step that helps remove soil before sanitizing; it’s not a chemical determinant of sanitizer performance. So pH isn’t treated as a primary determinant in this context, making it the correct choice.