Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-20-.15 - Inspections

(1) Inspection Frequency. Food processing establishments shall be inspected at least four times each year with a maximum lapse of 120 days between inspections. Establishments with less than a satisfactory compliance level on the last inspection shall be inspected again within 30 days. Legal notices (ADPH-F-Insp.-17/7-S2) shall be issued when critical items such as: food source and condition; potentially hazardous food temperatures; facilities to maintain product temperature; infected persons; good hygienic practices; sanitization; water supply; sewage; cross connections, back-siphonage and back-flow; toilet and handwashing facilities; vermin control; and toxic items are violated. Necessary reinspections shall be made in accordance with Rule 420-3-20-.15(4). Additional inspections of food processing establishments shall be performed as often as necessary for the enforcement of these rules.

(2) Access. The Health Officer, after proper identification, shall be permitted to enter any food processing establishment at any reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections to determine compliance with these rules. The Health Officer shall be permitted to examine the records of the establishment to obtain information pertaining to food and supplies purchased, received, or used, or to persons employed.

(3) Report of Inspections. Whenever an inspection of a food processing establishment is made, the findings shall be recorded on the inspection report form prescribed by the State Health Officer as shown in Appendix C of these rules, or a similarly designed form as approved by the State Health Officer. Inspectional remarks shall be written to reference, by rule number, the rule violated and shall state the corrections to be made. The original of the inspection report form shall be conspicuously displayed for public view within the establishment. A copy of the inspection report shall be filed with the records of the County Health Department. The completed inspection report form is a public document that shall be made available for public disclosure to any person who requests it according to law.

(4) Correction of Violations.

(a) The complete inspection report form shall specify a reasonable period of time for the correction of the violations found; and correction of the violations shall be accomplished within the period specified, in accordance with the following provisions:

1. If an imminent health hazard exists, such as complete lack of refrigeration or sewage backup into the establishment, the establishment shall immediately cease food processing operations. Operations shall not be resumed until authorized by the Health Officer.

2. All violations of critical items shall be corrected as ordered by legal notice (ADPH-F-Insp.-17/7-82).

3. All other items shall be corrected as soon as possible, but in any event, by the time of the next routine inspection.

4. When the sanitation level of the establishment is substantially less than satisfactory, the establishment shall initiate corrective action on all identified violations within forty-eight hours. One or more reinspections will be conducted at reasonable time intervals to assure correction.

(b) The inspection report shall state that failure to comply with any time limits for corrections may result in cessation of food processing operations. An opportunity for hearing on the inspection findings or the time limitation, or both, will be provided if a written request is filed with the Health Officer within seven days following cessation of operations. If a request for hearing is received, a hearing shall be held within five days of receipt of request.

(c) Whenever a food processing establishment is required under the provisions of Rule 420-3-20-.15(4) to cease operations, it shall not resume operations until it is shown on reinspection that conditions responsible for the order to cease operations no longer exist. Opportunity for reinspection shall be offered within a reasonable time.

(5) Surveys and Training. The State of Alabama Department of Public Health shall make Food Processing Establishment Sanitation Surveys and Program Evaluations as deemed necessary by the State Health Officer. The survey shall be made in accordance with these rules, and the results shall be incorporated in the Annual Alabama Public Health Report. The Department shall provide education and training in food processing establishment sanitation; in standardized inspection techniques; and in enforcement procedures. The Department shall issue rule interpretations as needed.

J. A. Brewer

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-20-.15

Filed March 23, 1984. Amended: Filed November 19, 1987.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-2-2(6), 22-20-5.