<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".20" citation="COMAR 10.15.04.20" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="04" heading="Inspections.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall permit a representative of the Department to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Enter a food processing plant at a reasonable time for the purpose of making inspections to determine compliance with this chapter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Examine the records of the facility that pertain to information regarding food and supplies:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Purchased;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Received;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Manufactured;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Sold; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Distributed.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall inform the Department of a food ingredient or a recipe that the person-in-charge considers a trade secret, except as provided in §C of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall provide information to the Department regarding a food ingredient or recipe that the person-in-charge considers a trade secret if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An immediate and substantial danger to public health exists involving the food ingredient or recipe; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Department determines that the information about the food ingredient or recipe is necessary to conduct a foodborne disease investigation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The person-in-charge shall ensure that:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Compliance with this chapter is continuous;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Violations are corrected within the time for correction given by the Department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>When a violation of a critical item exists:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The violation is corrected immediately;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Food processing affected by the critical item violation ceases; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The food processing plant is closed immediately; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>For a food processing plant that operates seasonally or intermittently, inspection and regulation by the Department is facilitated by notifying the Department of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The dates and times of operation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Information necessary to ensure that the Department has the opportunity to inspect the food processing plant during plant operation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The Department shall maintain the confidentiality of trade secret information in accordance with General Provisions Article, §4-335, and Health-General Article, §21-259, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>When an inspection of a food processing plant is made, the Department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Complete an inspection report that identifies the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Conditions found that violate the provisions of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Critical item violations, noted separately from all other violations;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provide a copy of the inspection report to the person-in-charge of the plant; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Make the completed inspection report form available for public disclosure in accordance with General Provisions Article, §§4-101—4-104, 4-201—4-206, 4-301—4-362, and 4-501—4-503, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The Department shall ensure that a food processing plant is inspected:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>As determined by the Department or by statute for the enforcement of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>At a minimum of the frequency required by COMAR 10.15.07.01 for any shellfish:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shucker-packer; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Repacker;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>At a minimum of two times per year for any shellfish:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shipper; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Reshipper;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>At another frequency for shellfish required by COMAR 10.15.07.01; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>When a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>High priority plant, at a minimum of once per 12 months;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Moderate priority plant, at a minimum of once per 24 months; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Low priority plant, at a minimum of once every 36 months.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>