Md. Code Regs. 15.07.01.03

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 15.07.01.03 - Sanitation

A. Each apiary shall be kept in a neat and sanitary condition to promote the welfare of the beekeeping industry.

B. The beekeeper shall keep the honey house in a neat and sanitary condition and shall meet the sanitation standards set forth in §§C-N of this regulation.

C. The honey house shall be so constructed that it can be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. When the honey is extracted, the honey house shall be used exclusively for the extracting, processing, packing, or handling of honey, and for the storage of equipment related to the business of the honey house.

D. The floors of all rooms in which honey is handled, extracted, processed, packed, or stored shall be clean and in good repair.

E. Walls and ceilings of rooms in which honey is handled, extracted, processed, packed, or stored shall have smooth, washable surfaces and shall be kept clean and in good repair. The roof of the honey house shall be weather-tight.

F. Openings to the outside in the extracting and packing rooms shall be screened and kept in good repair and may be equipped with bee escapes. Screen doors shall be self-closing. All windows and window sills shall be kept clean.

G. Rooms shall be adequately ventilated and there shall be sufficient light to permit efficient operation, including cleaning of the equipment. Lights over exposed food zones shall be protected from breakage to avoid product adulteration.

H. The water supply for the honey processing room shall be easily accessible, adequate, and of a safe, sanitary quality. An adequate supply of clean, hot water shall be available for cleaning equipment.

I. Extractors, tanks, and other equipment with which honey comes in contact shall be stored in such a manner that they are protected from contamination with dust, dirt, rodents, insects, and other contaminants. All equipment shall be kept clean and free from rust.

J. Workers shall wear clean and washable outer clothing during extracting, processing, packing, or handling of honey and shall keep hands clean. A wash basin with running hot water and clean, sanitary towels shall be provided for workers when the honey house is in use.

K. Combs of honey shall be protected from contamination while in transit to the honey house. Before extracting, all combs of honey shall be stored in a clean location.

L. Honey may not be packed in used containers, unless these containers have been previously used only for human food. All containers shall be free from internal rust and shall be clean and sanitary before honey is packed in them. All previously used cans and containers shall be steamed clean or cleaned with hot water. All honey stored in tanks shall be covered so as to be protected from contamination. Packed honey shall be stored in a clean and sanitary manner.

M. Honey shall be extracted only from combs that are:

(1) Free from brood of the bees or the larva of the wax moth or small hive beetle; and

(2) Properly capped.

N. Covers shall be on extractors except when they are being loaded or unloaded. All honey stored in tanks shall be covered to protect it from contamination.

Md. Code Regs. 15.07.01.03

Regulation .03 repealed and new Regulation .03 adopted effective October 2, 2000 (27:19 Md. R. 1729)