Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-34.3

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 481-34.3 - Physical facilities and equipment

(1) The floors, walls, ceilings, utensils, equipment, and supplies in the food processing and storage areas, and all vehicles used in the transportation of homemade food items, shall be maintained clean and in good repair.

(2) Outer openings shall be protected by tight-fitting doors, windows, or screens.

(3) Dogs, cats, or other pets and animals shall be excluded from entering food preparation areas when food is being processed or packaged.

(4) Persons unnecessary to the production of homemade food items are not allowed in food processing areas while homemade food items are exposed or being produced.

(5) Adequate lighting and ventilation shall be available in all areas where food is processed or stored.

(6) An establishment shall have an adequate supply of hot and cold potable water under pressure from an approved and safe source. In addition:

a. There shall be no direct or indirect connection of safe and unsafe water;

b. If the residence is not served by a public water system, the water shall be tested at least annually for nitrates and coliforms;

c. In the event a water test shows coliforms are present or nitrates are at an unsafe level, the establishment shall cease operations and notify the regulatory authority. The establishment will not resume operations until approved by the regulatory authority; and

d. If the establishment's water source is under a water advisory indicating the water may be unsafe to consume, it shall not produce homemade food items until the advisory is lifted.

(7) There shall be a conveniently located sink in each food processing area that is maintained clean and accessible for handwashing during production and packaging and supplied with hot and cold running water, hand soap, and sanitary towels.

(8) An establishment shall have adequate equipment, such as a sink or dishwasher, to wash, rinse, and sanitize utensils.

(9) There shall be conveniently located toilet facilities, equipped with a handwashing sink supplied with hot and cold running water, hand soap and sanitary towels or a hand-drying device.

(10) All waste and wastewater produced by the establishment shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner in compliance with applicable laws. If the home food processing establishment has a waste backup, it shall cease operation and notify the regulatory authority. It will not resume preparation of homemade food items until approved by the regulatory authority.

(11) All garbage and refuse shall be kept in containers and removed from the premises regularly to eliminate insects and rodents, offensive odors, or other health hazards. Garbage and refuse containers shall be durable, easy to clean, insect- and rodent-resistant, and of material that neither leaks nor absorbs liquid.

(12) Food processing and storage areas shall be free of pests. Pesticides, if used, shall be approved for use in commercial food establishments, clearly labeled, and used as directed by the manufacturer.

(13) Hazardous chemicals or other toxic materials shall be stored, applied and used as directed by the manufacturer in a manner that protects food, equipment, and food contact surfaces from contamination.

(14) Refrigeration and hot holding equipment design and capacity shall be adequate to maintain safe temperature control, including safe cooling temperatures, to prevent cross contamination and allergen cross contact and protect food from other sources of contamination. Dedicated refrigeration or hot holding equipment may be required if shared equipment is inadequate to maintain food safety.

(15) All refrigeration and hot holding units shall be equipped with an accurate thermometer.

(16) Appropriate thermometers shall be used to accurately measure the internal temperature of food during processing, holding, and storage.

(17) All food contact surfaces shall be intended for use with food, made of safe materials, easy to clean, smooth, durable, nonabsorbent, and noncorrosive.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-34.3

Amended by IAB October 5, 2022/Volume XLV, Number 7, effective 11/9/2022

Adopted by IAB April 17, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 21, effective 5/22/2024