<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 10.15.03.09" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="03" heading="Food Preparation — Temperature and Cross-Contamination Control.">
  <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Food temperature measuring devices are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Used to monitor the temperature of potentially hazardous foods;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Graduated and accurate within plus or minus 2°F;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Calibrated annually or more frequently; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Cleaned and sanitized between uses in different foods to prevent cross-contamination;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The storage, thawing, cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding of a food:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Are safe; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Comply with this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>When a recipe in which more than one egg is broken and the eggs are combined and not prepared for immediate service:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The mixture is stored under refrigeration at all times before cooking;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The process is included in the food service facility's HACCP plan as a critical control point; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The mixture containing eggs is cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 155°F for 15 seconds;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Potentially hazardous food is thawed:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In refrigerated units so that the temperature of the food does not exceed 41°F;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Under potable running water that is at or below 70°F with sufficient force to agitate and float off loose particles;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In a microwave oven only when the food will be immediately cooked in the microwave oven or immediately transferred to conventional cooking facilities as part of a continuous cooking process;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If a potentially hazardous reduced oxygen packaged food:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In the food’s airtight package at or below 41°F;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>At a lower temperature if specified by the manufacturer; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If fish or seafood, completely removed from the reduced oxygen environment or package prior to thawing;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>As part of a conventional cooking process; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>By another method acceptable to the approving authority that has been scientifically proven to the approving authority to prevent the bacteriological, physical, or chemical contamination of food;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Employees prevent contact of exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands by using:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Gloves as specified under Regulation .14J of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Utensils such as:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Tongs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Spatulas;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Deli tissue; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Automatic dispensing equipment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Cross-contamination is prevented by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Not allowing contact between ready-to-eat and raw foods;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Storing and holding food so that:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Ready-to-eat food is located above or otherwise segregated from raw food; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A food is protected from plumbing leaks and condensate drippage;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Using separate utensils and work surfaces for ready-to-eat food and foods requiring further preparation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Cleaning and sanitizing utensils and work surfaces between uses;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Excluding sick workers from food handling in accordance with Regulation .14A and B of this chapter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Washing raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove soil and other contaminants before cutting, cooking, or serving, with:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Water; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Chemicals intended specifically for washing or peeling whole fruits and vegetables as specified in 21 CFR §173.315.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>