Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 331 - STATE OF MAINE FOOD CODE 2001
Chapter 4 - EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, AND LINENS
Section 001-331-4-1 - MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR

Universal Citation: 01 ME Code Rules ยง 001-331-4-1

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

4-101 Multiuse

4-101.11 Characteristics.*

Materials that are used in the construction of UTENSILS and FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT may not allow the migration of deleterious substances or impart colors, odors, or tastes to FOOD and under normal use conditions shall be:

(A) Safe;

(B) Durable, CORROSION-RESISTANT, and nonabsorbent; N

(C) Sufficient in weight and thickness to withstand repeated WAREWASHING. N

(D) Finished to have a SMOOTH, EASILY CLEANABLE surface; N and

(E) Resistant to pitting, chipping, crazing, scratching, scoring, distortion, and decomposition. N

4-101.12 Cast Iron, Use Limitation.

(A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, cast iron may not be used for UTENSILS or FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT.

(B) Cast iron may be used as a surface for cooking.

(C) Cast iron may be used in UTENSILS for serving FOOD if the UTENSILS are used only as part of an uninterrupted process from cooking through service.

4-101.13 Lead in Ceramic, China, and Crystal Utensils, Use Limitation.

Ceramic, china, crystal UTENSILS, and decorative UTENSILS such as hand painted ceramic or china that are used in contact with FOOD shall be lead-free or contain levels of lead not exceeding the limits of the following UTENSIL categories:

Utensil Category Description Maximum Lead mg/L
Hot Beverage Mugs Coffee Mugs 0.5
Large Hollowware Bowls >= 1.1 L (1.16 QT) 1
Small Hollowware Bowls < 1.1 L (1.16 QT) 2.0
Flat Utensils Plates, Saucers 3.0

4-101.14 Copper, Use Limitation.*

(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, copper and copper alloys such as brass may not be used in contact with a FOOD that has a pH below 6 such as vinegar, fruit JUICE, or wine or for a fitting or tubing installed between a backflow prevention device and a carbonator.

(B) Copper and copper alloys may be used in contact with beer brewing ingredients that have a pH below 6 in the prefermentation and fermentation steps of a beer brewing operation such as a brewpub or microbrewery.

4-101.15 Galvanized Metal, Use Limitation.*

Galvanized metal may not be used for UTENSILS or FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are used in contact with acidic FOOD.

4-101.16 Sponges, Use Limitation.

Sponges may not be used in contact with cleaned and SANITIZED or in-use FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES.

4-101.17 Lead in Pewter Alloys, Use Limitation.

Pewter alloys containing lead in excess of 0.05% may not be used as a FOOD-CONTACT SURFACE.

4-101.18 Lead in Solder and Flux, Use Limitation.

Solder and flux containing lead in excess of 0.2% may not be used as a FOOD-CONTACT SURFACE.

4-101.19 Wood, Use Limitation.

(A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B), (C), and (D) of this section, wood and wood wicker may not be used as a FOOD-CONTACT SURFACE.

(B) Hard maple or an equivalently hard, close-grained wood may be used for:

(1) Cutting boards; cutting blocks; bakers' tables; and UTENSILS such as rolling pins, doughnut dowels, salad bowls, and chopsticks; and

(2) Wooden paddles used in confectionery operations for pressure scraping kettles when manually preparing confections at a temperature of 110°C (230°F) or above.

(C) Whole, uncut, raw fruits and vegetables, and nuts in the shell may be kept in the wood shipping containers in which they were received, until the fruits, vegetables, or nuts are used. (D) If the nature of the FOOD requires removal of rinds, peels, husks, or shells before consumption, the whole, uncut, raw FOOD may be kept in:

(1) Untreated wood containers; or

(2) Treated wood containers if the containers are treated with a preservative that meets the requirements specified in 21 CFR 178.3800 Preservatives for wood.

4-101.110 Nonstick Coatings, Use Limitation.

Multiuse KITCHENWARE such as frying pans, griddles, sauce pans, cookie sheets, and waffle bakers that have a perfluorocarbon resin coating shall be used with nonscoring or nonscratching UTENSILS and cleaning aids.

4-101.111 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces.

NonFOOD-CONTACT SURFACES of EQUIPMENT that are exposed to splash, spillage, or other FOOD soiling or that require frequent cleaning shall be constructed of a CORROSION-RESISTANT, nonabsorbent, and SMOOTH material.

4-102 Single-Service and Single-Use

4-102.11 Characteristics.*

Materials that are used to make SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES:

(A) May not:

(1) Allow the migration of deleterious substances, or

(2) Impart colors, odors, or tastes to FOOD; N and

(B) Shall be:

(1) Safe, and

(2) Clean. N

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine 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.
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