# COMAR Title 10 — Maryland Department of Health

## Subtitle 15 — Food

### Chapter 08 — Farmstead Cheese Program

#### Regulation .15 Physical Plant Requirements for Plants.

*COMAR 10.15.08.15*

A. Water used at a farmstead cheese facility shall:

  (1) Be obtained from a potable water supply system that complies with:

    (a) Environment Article, Title 9, Annotated Code of Maryland;

    (b) COMAR 26.04.04; and

    (c) The Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Appendix D, incorporated by reference in Regulation .03 of this chapter;

  (2) Be installed in a manner that prevents backflow or back siphoning;

  (3) Be separate from a nonpotable water supply system so that nonpotable water can be drawn or discharged into the potable water supply system;

  (4) Provide hot and cold running water in an area where milk processing equipment is washed; and

  (5) Have sufficient water capacity, pressure, and hot water generation and distribution to meet peak demands throughout the washing system;

B. Hand sinks shall have:

  (1) Either:

    (a) Hot and cold running water; or

    (b) Warm running water;

  (2) A supply of hand cleaning soap or detergent; and

  (3) A sanitary means of drying hands, such as individual towels or a hand drying device;

C. A sewage system shall be constructed and operated in conformance with applicable State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations;

D. Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained in accordance with applicable State and local plumbing laws, ordinances, and regulations; and

E. Electrical systems at the facility shall:

  (1) Comply with State and local electrical laws, ordinances, and regulations;

  (2) Provide adequate lighting sources that furnish at least 30 foot candles of light in all working areas and rooms where:

    (a) Milk or a milk product is handled, processed, packaged, or stored; or

    (b) A container, utensil, and equipment are washed; and

  (3) Provide adequate lighting sources that furnish at least five foot candles of light in dry storage and cold storage rooms.