Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A.
In order that information may be available to inspectors and others with
reference to the origin of shellstock oysters, clams and mussels from all
areas, all containers holding shell-stock shall be identified by a tag or
label, form and substance of which shall be approved by the state health
officer, and the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries.
B. [formerly paragraph
9:051-1] The initial tagging of the shell-stock shall be performed by the
harvester before the shell-stock are removed from the harvester's boat. In the
event that shell-stock are harvested from more than one growing area on a given
day, the shell-stock shall be sacked and tagged before leaving from the growing
area from which the shell-stock was harvested. The harvester's tags shall
contain legible information as follows:
1. a
place shall be provided where the dealer's name, address, certification number
assigned by the Office of Public Health, Seafood Sanitation Program and the
original shell-stock shipper's number if different;
2. the harvester's identification number
assigned by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries;
3. the date of harvesting;
4. harvest area as defined by Office of
Public Health;
5. type and quantity
of shellfish; and
6. the following
additional statements or their equivalent as approved by the state authority
shall appear on each tag in bold capitalized letters:
a. THIS TAG IS REQUIRED TO BE ATTACHED UNTIL
CONTAINER IS EMPTY OR RETAGGED AND THEREAFTER KEPT ON FILE, IN CHRONOLOGICAL
ORDER, FOR 90 DAYS. "RETAILERS: DATE WHEN LAST SHELLFISH FROM THIS CONTAINER
SOLD OR SERVED (INSERT DATE)";
NOTE: Shellstock tagged for restricted use (Green Tag) should
not include the retailer guidance language "RETAILERS: DATE WHEN LAST SHELLFISH
FROM THIS CONTAINER SOLD OR SERVED (INSERT DATE)
b. AS IS THE CASE WITH CONSUMING OTHER RAW
ANIMAL PROTEIN PRODUCTS, THERE IS A RISK ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMING RAW OYSTERS,
CLAMS AND MUSSELS. IF YOU SUFFER FROM CHRONIC ILLNESS OF THE LIVER, STOMACH, OR
BLOOD OR HAVE IMMUNE DISORDERS, DO NOT EAT THESE PRODUCTS RAW. RETAILERS PLEASE
ADVISE CUSTOMERS.
C. The color of a tag placed on a container
holding shellstock shall have the following meanings.
1. A white-colored tag indicates that the
shellstock has met the time/temperature requirements of §329. A for raw (half
shell) consumption in both interstate and intrastate commerce.
2. A fuchsia-colored (pinkish-purple) tag
indicates that the shellstock has met the time/temperature requirements of
§330. A for raw (half shell) consumption in intrastate commerce only (i.e., may be sold for raw consumption only by persons within the state of
Louisiana).
3. A green-colored tag
indicates that the shellstock is for shucking by a certified dealer or
post-harvest processing only.
4. A
blue-colored tag indicates that the shell stock has been post-harvest processed
by a certified dealer and may now be sold for raw (half shell) consumption in
both interstate and intrastate commerce. This tag must also include a "SELL BY"
date which is a reasonable subsequent shelf-life or the words "BEST IF USED BY"
followed by a date when the product would be expected to reach the end of its
shelf-life. The date shall include month, day, and year.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
Promulgated in accordance with
R.S.
40:4(A)(1),
R.S.
40:5(2)(3)(5)(7)(15), and
R.S.
40:5.3.
