Examines what may be fit for consumption by saints! (5)
I believe the answer is:
sifts
'examines' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I don't see how they can define each other.
'may be fit for consumption by saints' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'fit' is 'ift' which is located in the answer.
'saints' could be 'ss' (an abbreviation for saint written twice) and 'ss' is found in the remaining letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'what' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sifts that I've seen before include "Riddles" , "Strains, sieves" , "Passes through a sieve" .)