<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".26-1" citation="COMAR 10.15.05.26-1" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="05" heading="Frozen Desserts Plants — Water and Sanitation Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Toilet-Sewage Disposal Facilities.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A frozen desserts plant shall provide toilet facilities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Toilet rooms may not open directly into any room in which milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, or frozen desserts are processed or packaged.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Toilet rooms shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be completely enclosed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Have tight-fitting, self-closing doors.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Dressing rooms, toilet rooms, and fixtures shall be kept in a clean condition, in good repair, and shall be well ventilated and well lit.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Sewage and other liquid wastes shall be disposed of as approved by the Secretary.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Water Supply.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Water for frozen desserts plant purposes shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Obtained from a properly located, protected, and operated supply;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Easily accessible;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Adequate;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Of a safe sanitary quality; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Approved by the Secretary.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Both hot and cold water shall be available in sufficient quantity for all plant operations and facilities.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Handwashing Facilities.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Convenient handwashing facilities shall be provided, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Hot and cold or warm running water;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Soap; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Individual sanitary towels or other approved hand-drying devices.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Handwashing facilities shall be kept in a clean condition and in good repair.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Plant Cleanliness.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Rooms in which milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, and frozen desserts are handled, processed, stored, or packaged or in which containers, utensils, or equipment are washed or stored, shall be kept clean, neat, and free of evidence of insects and rodents.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Only properly applied pesticides, approved by the State and federal agencies for pesticide control, shall be used.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Only equipment directly related to processing and packaging operations, or to handling of containers, utensils, and equipment shall be permitted in the pasteurizing, processing, cooling, packaging, and bulk milk storage rooms.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Construction and Repair of Containers and Equipment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Multiuse containers and equipment with which milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, and frozen desserts come into contact shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Of smooth, impervious, corrosion-resistant, nontoxic material;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Constructed and installed for ease of cleaning; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Kept in good repair.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Single-service Containers.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Single-service containers, closures, gaskets, and other articles with which milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, or frozen desserts come into contact shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Be nontoxic; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Have been manufactured, packaged, transported, and handled in a sanitary manner.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Articles intended for single-service use may not be reused.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Equipment pertaining to materials, design, and finish shall comply with applicable 3-A Sanitary Standards.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Cleaning and Sanitizing of Containers and Equipment. The product-contact surface of all multiuse containers, utensils, and equipment used in the transportation, processing, handling, freezing, packaging, and storage of milk products, frozen dessert ingredients and frozen desserts mix shall be effectively cleaned and sanitized before each use.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Storage of Cleaned Multiuse Containers and Equipment. After cleaning, multiuse milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, and frozen dessert containers, utensils, and equipment shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Transported and stored to assure complete drainage; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Protected from contamination before use.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Storage of Single-Service Containers, Utensils and Materials. Single-service parchment papers, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk products, frozen dessert ingredients, or frozen desserts shall be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Purchased and stored in sanitary wrappings or cartons;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Kept in a clean dry place until used; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Handled in a sanitary manner.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Protection from Contamination.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Frozen desserts plant operations, equipment, and facilities shall be located and conducted to prevent any contamination of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Milk products;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Frozen dessert ingredients;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Frozen desserts;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Equipment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Containers; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Utensils.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Unless the equipment has first been properly washed and subjected to a satisfactory bactericidal treatment, pasteurized mix or frozen desserts may not be permitted to come in contact with equipment or containers with which unpasteurized mix, frozen desserts, milk, or milk products have been in contact.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In a frozen desserts plant, processing and handling shall be performed to preclude the contamination of the products.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Pasteurization.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Frozen desserts shall be made from pasteurized mixes.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>After formulation of the entire mix except for flavoring, ingredients shall be pasteurized as provided in Regulation .21B(13) of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The design and operation of all pasteurization equipment and all appurtenances to it shall comply with the applicable specifications and operational procedures as outlined in Appendices H and I of the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Cooling of Milk Products and Frozen Desserts Mix.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Raw milk products shall be maintained at 45°F or less until processed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Pasteurized milk products and frozen desserts mix shall be cooled immediately, in approved equipment, to a temperature of 45°F or less.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Pasteurized milk and frozen desserts mix shall be stored at a temperature of 45°F or less and maintained at that temperature until further processed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A room or tank in which products or frozen desserts mix are stored shall be equipped with an accurate thermometer.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A mix which is not frozen at the plant at which it is pasteurized shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Transported to the place of manufacturing or freezing in sealed containers;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Handled in a sanitary manner; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Stored at a temperature of 45°F or less until frozen.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Except for sampling, dipping from containers of pasteurized mix is prohibited.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>Container Packaging, Closure, Sealing, and Storage.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Closing or sealing of frozen desserts containers shall be done in a sanitary manner.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The closing or sealing of individual containers of frozen desserts shall be done by methods which preclude product contamination.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Frozen desserts shall be stored in a sanitary manner.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>Personnel Cleanliness.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Hand Washing.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Hands shall be thoroughly washed before commencing plant functions and as often as may be required to remove soil and contamination.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An employee may not resume work after visiting the toilet room without thoroughly washing the employee’s hands.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Garments and Hair Coverings.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An individual engaged in processing, pasteurization, handling, storage, transportation, or packaging of milk products, frozen dessert ingredients or frozen desserts, containers, utensils, or equipment shall wear clean outer garments and a head covering.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An employee with long hair shall wear hair restraints.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The use of tobacco by any person while engaged in the processing of milk products, frozen desserts ingredients, or frozen desserts is prohibited.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>