18 AAC 31.413 - Design and construction: molluscan shellfish tanks

The operator of a food establishment that has a molluscan shellfish life support system display tank shall ensure that

(1) the safety and quality of the molluscan shellfish as they were received is not compromised by use of the tank;

(2) each system is equipped with

(A) tanks that

(i) have smooth, cleanable surfaces;

(ii) are durable and accessible for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing, as described in 18 AAC 31.422 - 18 AAC 31.424;

(iii) have plumbing and spray nozzles that are cleanable and made from safe materials; and

(iv) hold at least 100 gallons of water per 75 pounds of molluscan shellfish;

(B) plumbing that

(i) will not be a source of contamination;

(ii) does not have pipes or hoses that can fill with stagnant water; and

(iii) has a device backflow to prevent backflow and back-siphonage to protect the potable water supply; and

(C) a recirculation system that includes

(i) filtration to remove particulate matter and ammonia;

(ii) a disinfection system to remove coliform bacteria from the water; if an ultraviolet (UV) light system is used, the ultraviolet lights must be cleaned at least every six weeks and the bulbs must be replaced at least once every 365 days; and

(iii) a refrigeration unit to maintain water at 40 - 60º F;

(3) water used with seafood other than molluscan shellfish does not flow into the molluscan tank;

(4) different lots of molluscan shellfish in the tank are not commingled; in this paragraph, "commingled" means combining molluscan shellfish harvested on different days or from different growing areas as identified on the tag or label;

(5) vertical dividers or mesh bags for separating lots are used;

(6) molluscan shellfish are washed free of mud or other debris;

(7) dead, broken, or weak molluscan shellfish are discarded

(A) before placing molluscan shellfish in the tank; and

(B) at least every 24 hours;

(8) the tank and recirculation system are washed, rinsed, and sanitized, as specified at 18 AAC 31.422 - 18 AAC 31.424, at least once every seven days;

(9) if a tank and recirculation system is used for a species other than molluscan shellfish, the tank and recirculation system are washed, rinsed, and sanitized, as specified at 18 AAC 31.422 - 18 AAC 31.424, before use for a molluscan shellfish;

(10) defoamers, if used, are of food-grade quality and do not cause the molluscan shellfish to become adulterated; and

(11) the manufacturer's guidelines for maintaining the water's salinity in the tanks are followed.

Notes

18 AAC 31.413

Eff. 12/28/2006, Register 180

Authority:AS 17.20.005

AS 17.20.020

AS 17.20.072

AS 17.20.180

AS 17.20.290

AS 44.46.020