Ariz. Admin. Code § 3-2-1115

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 43, October 25, 2024

Section R3-2-1115 - Grading Requirements of Eggs identified with AZDA Grademarks

A. Eggs to be identified with the AZDA grademarks illustrated in R3-2-1111 must be individually graded by a grader.

B. In order to be officially identified with an AZDA consumer grademark, eggs shall:

1. Be of current production;

2. Be produced and processed within the borders of Arizona;

3. Not possess any undesirable odors or flavors;

4. Not have previously been shipped for retail sale;

5. Meet consumer Grade A or Grade AA, as prescribed in AMS 56, United States Standards, Grades, and Weight Classes for Shell Eggs, revised as of July 20, 2000, which is incorporated by reference, does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter, is on file with the Department at 1688 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007, and can be found online at https:/ /www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Shell_Egg_Standard%5B1%5D.pdf;

6. Be produced and packaged in a facility in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services' requirements for the Production, Storage, and transportation of Shell Eggs as specified in 21 CFR §§ 118.1 to 118.12, revised as of April 1, 2011, which is incorporated by reference, does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter, and is on file with the Department at 1688 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007;

7. Be produced and packaged in a facility that meets the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Eggs under the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA), as specified in 7 CFR §§ 57.1 to 57.970, revised as of April 12, 2006, which is incorporated by reference, does not include any later amendments or editions of the incorporated matter, and is on file with the Department at 1688 W. Adams St., Phoenix, AZ 85007;

8. Be produced in a facility that has implemented a SE environmental monitoring program which includes testing for SE in chick papers and in the house environment when the pullets are 14-16 weeks of age, 40-45 weeks of age, four to six weeks post-molt, and pre-depopulation.

9. Be produced in a facility that has implemented and maintained a vaccination program to protect against SE infection, which includes a minimum of two attenuated live vaccinations and one killed or inactivated vaccination, or an alternative vaccination program that has been approved by the Department after having been demonstrated in the Department's estimation to be equally effective.

C. Management at an official plant is responsible for notifying the AZDA grader whenever contaminated or adulterated eggs are present in the official plant. Any eggs identified as contaminated or adulterated must be properly labeled and controlled by plant management. This includes eggs originating from a layer house with an SE-positive environment or eggs testing positive for the presence of SE. Failure to control, detain and/or notify the grader of the presence of contaminated or adulterated eggs in the official plant will constitute a violation of this Article. Department employees are authorized to inspect lay houses and review plant documents to determine compliance with this Article.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R3-2-1115

Adopted by final exempt rulemaking at 26 A.A.R. 916, effective 4/9/2020.