Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Chapter 40-7 - FOOD DIVISION REGULATIONS
Subject 40-7-1 - RETAIL FOOD SALES
Rule 40-7-1-.20 - Equipment, Utensils, and Linens: Maintenance and Operation

Universal Citation: GA Rules and Regs r 40-7-1-.20

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through September 23, 2024

(1) Good Repair and Proper Adjustment.

(a) EQUIPMENT shall be maintained in a state of repair and condition that meets the requirements specified under 40-7-1-.16(1) - (10) and 40-7-1-.17(1) - (37).

(b) EQUIPMENT components such as doors, seals, hinges, fasteners, and kick plates shall be kept intact, tight, and adjusted in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

(c) Cutting or piercing parts of can openers shall be kept sharp to minimize the creation of metal fragments that can contaminate FOOD when the container is opened.

(2) Cutting Surfaces. Surfaces such as cutting blocks and boards that are subject to scratching and scoring shall be resurfaced if they can no longer be effectively cleaned and SANITIZED, or discarded if they are not capable of being resurfaced.

(3) Microwave Ovens. Microwave ovens shall meet the safety standards specified in 21 CFR 1030.10 Microwave ovens.

(4) Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Frequency. A WAREWASHING machine; the compartments of sinks, basins, or other receptacles used for washing and rinsing EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, or raw FOODS, or laundering wiping cloths; and drainboards or other EQUIPMENT used to substitute for drainboards as specified under 40-7-1-.18(3) shall be cleaned:

(a) Before use;

(b) Throughout the day at a frequency necessary to prevent recontamination of EQUIPMENT and UTENSILS and to ensure that the EQUIPMENT performs its intended function; and

(c) If used, at least every twenty-four (24) hours.

(5) Warewashing Machines, Manufacturers' Operating Instructions.

(a) A WAREWASHING machine and its auxiliary components shall be operated in accordance with the machine's data plate and other manufacturer's instructions.

(b) A WAREWASHING machine's conveyor speed or automatic cycle times shall be maintained accurately timed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

(6) Warewashing Sinks, Use Limitation.

(a) A WAREWASHING sink may not be used for handwashing as specified under 40-7-1-.05(4).

(b) If a WAREWASHING sink is used to wash wiping cloths, wash produce, or thaw FOOD, the sink shall be cleaned as specified under 40-7-1-.20(4) before and after each time it is used to wash wiping cloths or wash produce or thaw FOOD. Sinks used to wash or thaw FOOD shall be SANITIZED as specified under 40-7-1-.22(1) - (3) before and after using the sink to wash produce or thaw FOOD.

(7) Warewashing Equipment, Cleaning Agents. When used for WAREWASHING, the wash compartment of a sink, mechanical warewasher, or wash receptacle of alternative manual WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT, as specified in 40-7-1-.18(2)(c), shall contain a wash solution of soap, detergent, acid cleaner, alkaline cleaner, degreaser, abrasive cleaner, or other cleaning agent according to the cleaning agent manufacturer's label instructions.Pf

(8) Warewashing Equipment, Clean Solutions. The wash, rinse, and SANITIZE solutions shall be maintained clean.

(9) Manual Warewashing Equipment, Wash Solution Temperature. The temperature of the wash solution in manual WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT shall be maintained at not less than 43°C (110°F) or the temperature specified on the cleaning agent manufacturer's label instructions.Pf

(10) Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Wash Solution Temperature.

(a) The temperature of the wash solution in spray type warewashers that use hot water to SANITIZE may not be less than:
1. For a stationary rack, single temperature machine, 74°C (165°F);Pf

2. For a stationary rack, dual temperature machine, 66°C (150°F);Pf

3. For a single tank, conveyor, dual temperature machine, 71°C (160°F);Pf or

4. For a multitank, conveyor, multitemperature machine, 66°C (150°F).Pf

(b) The temperature of the wash solution in spray-type warewashers that use chemicals to SANITIZE may not be less than 49°C (120°F).Pf

(11) Manual Warewashing Equipment, Hot Water Sanitization Temperatures. If immersion in hot water is used for SANITIZING in a manual operation, the temperature of the water shall be maintained at 77°C (171°F) or above.P

(12) Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Hot Water Sanitization Temperatures.

(a) Except as specified in (b) of this section, in a mechanical operation, the temperature of the fresh hot water SANITIZING rinse as it enters the manifold may not be more than 90°C (194°F), or less than:Pf
1. For a stationary rack, single temperature machine, 74°C (165°F);Pf or

2. For all other machines, 82°C (180°F).Pf

(b) The maximum temperature specified under (a) of this section, does not apply to the high pressure and temperature systems with wand-type, hand-held, spraying devices used for the in-place cleaning and SANITIZING of EQUIPMENT such as meat saws.

(13) Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Sanitization Pressure. The flow pressure of the fresh hot water SANITIZING rinse in a WAREWASHING machine, as measured in the water line immediately downstream or upstream from the fresh hot water SANITIZING rinse control value, shall be within the range specified on the machine manufacturer's data plate and may not be less than 35 kilopascals (5 pounds per square inch) or more than 200 kilopascals (30 pounds per square inch).

(14) Manual and Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization - Temperature, PH, Concentration, and Hardness. A chemical SANITIZER used in a SANITIZING solution for a manual or mechanical operation at contact times specified under 40-7-1-.22(3)(c) shall meet the criteria specified under 40-7-1-.36(5) Sanitizers, Criteria; shall be used in accordance with the EPA-registered label use instructions;P and shall be used as follows:

(a) A chlorine solution shall have a minimum temperature based on the concentration and PH of the solution as listed in the following chart;P

Concentration
Range
MG/L 		Minimum
Temperature
PH 10 or less
°C (°F) 		Minimum
Temperature
PH 8 or less
°C (°F)
25 - 49 49 (120) 49 (120)
50 - 99 38 (100) 24 (75)
100 13 (55) 13 (55)

(b) An iodine solution shall have a:
1. Minimum temperature of 20°C (68°F),P

2. PH of 5.0 or less or a PH no higher than the level for which the manufacturer specifies the solution is effective,P and

3. Concentration between 12.5 MG/L and 25 MG/L;P

(c) A quaternary ammonium compound solution shall:
1. Have a minimum temperature of 24°C (75°F),P

2. Have a concentration as specified under 40-7-1-.36(5) and as indicated by the manufacturer's use directions included in the labeling,P and

3. Be used only in water with 500 MG/L hardness or less, or in water having a hardness no greater than specified by the EPA-registered label use instructions;P

(d) If another solution of a chemical specified under (a) - (c) of this section is used, the LICENSE HOLDER shall demonstrate to the DEPARTMENT that the solution achieves SANITIZATION and the use of the solution shall be APPROVED;P

(e) If a chemical SANITIZER other than chlorine, iodine, or a quaternary ammonium compound is used, it shall be applied in accordance with the EPA-registered label use instructions;P and

(f) If a chemical SANITIZER is generated by a device located on-site at the FOOD ESTABLISHMENT it shall be used as specified in (a) - (d) of this section and shall be produced by a device that:
1. Complies with regulation as specified in 2(q)(1) and 12 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA),P

2. Complies with 40 CFR 152.500 Requirement for Devices and 40 CFR 156.10 Labeling Requirements,P

3. Displays the EPA device manufacturing facility registration number on the device,Pf and

4. Is operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.Pf

(15) Manual Warewashing Equipment, Chemical Sanitization Using Detergent-Sanitizers. If a detergent-SANITIZER is used to SANITIZE in a cleaning and SANITIZING procedure where there is no distinct water rinse between the washing and SANITIZING steps, the agent applied in the SANITIZING step shall be the same detergent-SANITIZER that is used in the washing step.

(16) Warewashing Equipment, Determining Chemical Sanitizer Concentration.Concentration of the SANITIZING solution shall be accurately determined by using a test kit or other device.Pf

(17) Good Repair and Calibration.

(a) UTENSILS shall be maintained in a state of repair or condition that complies with the requirements specified under 40-7-1-.16(1) - (10) and 40-7-1-.17(1) - (37) or shall be discarded.

(b) FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES shall be calibrated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications as necessary to ensure their accuracy.Pf

(c) Ambient air temperature, water pressure, and water TEMPERATURE MEASURING DEVICES shall be maintained in good repair and be accurate within the intended range of use.

(18) Single-Service and Single-Use Articles, Required Use. A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT without facilities specified under 40-7-1-.21(1) - (10) and 40-7-1-.22(1) - (3) for cleaning and SANITIZING KITCHENWARE and TABLEWARE shall provide only SINGLE-USE KITCHENWARE, SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES, and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES for use by FOOD EMPLOYEES and SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES for use by CONSUMERS.P

(19) Single-Service and Single-Use Articles, Use Limitation.

(a) SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES may not be reused.

(b) The bulk milk container dispensing tube shall be cut on the diagonal leaving no more than one (1) inch protruding from the chilled dispensing head.

(20) Shells, Use Limitation. Mollusk and crustacea shells may not be used more than once as serving containers.

O.C.G.A. Secs. 26-2-1 et. seq.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Georgia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.