The proper selection, use and care of brushes is a critical element of a well organized and properly implemented sanitation program.

The FDA calls for the segregation of brushes to avoid cross contamination. Separate brushes should be used for internal and external surfaces and restricted to their particular zone. Color coding helps keep brushes where they are used, doing only the jobs they are meant to do. By preventing brushes from traveling from one plant area to another, or from one cleaning job to another, the transmission of bacteria can be controlled.

The red bristle brush can be used on raw contact areas and the yellow brush for environmental clean-up of non-food-contact surfaces.