Which of the following applies to the Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS)?

The correct response highlights the primary focus of Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), which is to ensure that sanitary conditions are maintained within food processing establishments. These standards are part of federal regulations designed to prevent foodborne illness and ensure a safe food supply. By emphasizing sanitary conditions, the SPS ensures that the overall environment where food is processed meets hygiene requirements that protect both the food products and public health.

The other choices address related concepts but don't capture the central essence of the SPS. While the cleanliness of surfaces and product contamination are important (as noted in the first choice), they are means to achieve the broader goal of maintaining sanitary conditions. Prescribing methods to meet regulatory standards may apply to various aspects of food safety, but the SPS specifically outlines the condition expectations rather than detailing methodologies. Finally, the requirement of a written SPS plan assessed annually is not a direct application of the SPS itself; while documentation and evaluation may be necessary for overall compliance, it is not an intrinsic aspect of the standards as they function.