Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5L-1.011 - Equipment for Shellfish Processing

(1) All facility equipment and utensils shall be so designed and of such material and workmanship as to be cleanable, and shall be properly maintained. The design, construction, and use of equipment and utensils shall preclude the adulteration of food with contaminants. All equipment shall be so installed and maintained as to facilitate the cleaning of the equipment and of all adjacent spaces. Food-contact surfaces shall be corrosion-resistant, made of nontoxic materials, and designed to withstand the environment of their intended use and the action of food, and, if applicable, cleaning compounds and sanitizing agents. Food-contact surfaces shall be maintained to protect food from being contaminated by any source.

(2) Seams on food-contact surfaces shall be smoothly bonded or maintained so as to minimize accumulation of food particles, dirt, and organic matter and thus minimize the opportunity for growth of microorganisms.

(3) Equipment that is used in the manufacturing or food-handling area and that does not come into contact with food shall be so constructed that it can be kept in a clean condition.

(4) Three compartment sinks shall be properly installed, maintained and provided with hot and cold running water to all three compartments in establishments required to wash, rinse and sanitize food contact surfaces. Signs shall be posted indicating proper use of the three compartment sink. A three compartment sink shall be used for washing, rinsing and sanitizing food contact surfaces and shall not be used for hand washing. Shellstock shippers shall not be required to install or maintain three compartment sinks.

(5) Each freezer and cold storage compartment used to store and hold shellfish shall be mechanically refrigerated, nonportable and shall be fitted with an indicating thermometer, temperature-measuring device, or temperature-recording device so installed as to show the temperature accurately within the compartment, and should be fitted with an automatic control for regulating temperature or with an automatic alarm system to indicate a significant temperature change.

(6) Compressed air or other gases mechanically introduced into food or used to clean food-contact surfaces or equipment shall be treated in such a way that food is not contaminated.

(7) Blowers - devices which use compressed air to circulate wash water around and through shucked shellfish shall be properly designed and constructed as to be easily dismantled for cleaning, examination, and repair.

(8) Blowing time - blowing time shall not exceed 15 minutes.

(9) Depuration and wet storage tanks:

(a) Shall be designed to allow for good water circulation and prevent short-circuiting of the seawater. Tanks shall be designed so that scum and sludge, including shellfish feces and pseudo-feces, sand, and grit can be easily removed or flushed out. The bottom shall be sloped longitudinally at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch per foot toward the outlet end.

(b) Shall be constructed from impervious, nontoxic, food safe inert materials. Coatings, when used, may include epoxy resins, powdered polyesters, vinyl bituminous water-tank paint, and paraffin. These coatings are not only for waterproofing but should provide a smooth, hard, non-porous surface to facilitate proper cleaning and sanitation, as well as proper treatment of shellfish.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 5L-1.011

Rulemaking Authority 597.020 FS. Law Implemented 597.020 FS.

New 1-4-87, Amended 8-10-88, Formerly 16R-7.014, Amended 7-3-95, 5-8-96, 2-6-97, Formerly 62R-7.014, Amended 8-9-00, 5-29-02, Amended by Florida Register Volume 43, Number 045, March 7, 2017 effective 3/23/2017.

New 1-4-87, Amended 8-10-88, Formerly 16R-7.014, Amended 7-3-95, 5-8-96, 2-6-97, Formerly 62R-7.014, Amended 8-9-00, 5-29-02, 3-23-17.