Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-15-.07

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 3, December 31, 2024

Section 420-3-15-.07 - [Effective 2/14/2025] Buildings, Facilities And Operations

(1)Floors, Walls, and Ceilings: The floors, walls, and ceilings shall be smooth, non-absorbent, light-colored, and easily cleanable.

(2)Lighting:

(a) All rooms within a crab meat processing plant shall be provided with a sufficient amount of well-distributed light.

(b) All light bulbs and tube devices in picking rooms, packing rooms, container storage rooms, coolers, and cooking areas shall be shatterproof or enclosed with protective shields.

(3)Ventilation: All rooms within the crab meat processing plant shall be well ventilated for comfort, odor removal, and to eliminate excessive condensation. Toilet rooms shall be ventilated directly to the outside. Cooking rooms shall be adequately ventilated by screened openings, and where the need is indicated by a mechanical ventilating system separate from other ventilating systems within the plant. Temperature control shall be provided in the picking and packing room to provide a comfortable working temperature and to protect the product from excessive heat.

(4)Dressing Rooms and Lockers: Adequate facilities shall be provided for the orderly storage of employees' clothing and personal belongings.

(5)Housekeeping and Surroundings:

(a) All areas of the crab meat processing plant and premises shall be kept clean and free from litter, rubbish, and discarded equipment. All exterior areas adjacent to the plant shall be kept clean and free from debris, and shall be drained so that water will not accumulate.

(b) Floors, walls (including doors and windows), and ceilings of all rooms in which cooked crabs or crab meat is handled shall be kept free from any accumulation of soilage. At the close of each day's operation, floors and walls shall be cleaned with warm water and detergent. All water used for cleaning purposes shall be from an approved source.

(c) None of the operations connected with a crab processing plant shall be conducted in any room used as living or sleeping quarters. Under no circumstances shall a part of the crab processing plant be connected to a domestic residence or unrelated operation.

(d) Unauthorized persons shall not be permitted in crab meat processing plants.

(6)Plant Arrangements and Physical Layout:

(a) Sequence of operations: In order to minimize possibilities of contamination between raw and cooked products, the following sequence of operations shall be observed within the plant:

1. Sorting operations;

2. Raw storage;

3. Cooking;

4. Backing room;

5. Cooler storage for cooked crabs;

6. Picking room;

7. Packing room;

8. Cooler storage for packaged crab meat.

(b) Plan Review: When a crab meat processing plant is constructed or extensively remodeled, or when an existing structure is converted for use as a crab meat processing plant, properly prepared plans and specifications for such construction, remodeling, or alteration shall be approved by the Health Officer or designee before such work is begun.

These plans shall show layout, arrangement, and construction materials; and the location, size, and type of fixed equipment and facilities.

(c) Plant Location: Plants in which crab meat is processed shall be situated and located so that they will not be subject to flooding under normal conditions.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-15-.07

New Rule: Filed December 20, 2006; effective January 24, 2007.

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XLIII, Issue No. 03, December 31, 2024, eff. 2/14/2025.

Author: Lewis A. Byrd, Ph.D., Toni Ackerson, Nan Steedley

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