Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 331 - STATE OF MAINE FOOD CODE 2001
Chapter 6 - PHYSICAL FACILITIES
Section 001-331-6-5 - MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION

Universal Citation: 01 ME Code Rules ยง 001-331-6-5

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

6-501 Premises, Structures, Attachments, and Fixtures - Methods

6-501.11 Repairing.

The PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be maintained in good repair.

6-501.12 Cleaning, Frequency and Restrictions.

(A) The PHYSICAL FACILITIES shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.

(B) Cleaning shall be done during periods when the least amount of FOOD is exposed such as after closing. This requirement does not apply to cleaning that is necessary due to a spill or other accident.

6-501.13 Cleaning Floors, Dustless Methods.

(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, only dustless methods of cleaning shall be used, such as wet cleaning, vacuum cleaning, mopping with treated dust mops, or sweeping using a broom and dust-arresting compounds.

(B) Spills or drippage on floors that occur between normal floor cleaning times may be cleaned:

(1) Without the use of dust-arresting compounds; and

(2) In the case of liquid spills or drippage, with the use of a small amount of absorbent compound such as sawdust or diatomaceous earth applied immediately before spot cleaning.

6-501.14 Cleaning Ventilation Systems, Nuisance and Discharge Prohibition.

(A) Intake and exhaust air ducts shall be cleaned and filters changed so they are not a source of contamination by dust, dirt, and other materials.

(B) If vented to the outside, ventilation systems may not create a public health HAZARD or nuisance or unLAWful discharge.

6-501.15 Cleaning Maintenance Tools, Preventing Contamination.*

FOOD preparation sinks, handwashing lavatories, and WAREWASHING EQUIPMENT may not be used for the cleaning of maintenance tools, the preparation or holding of maintenance materials, or the disposal of mop water and similar liquid wastes.

6-501.16 Drying Mops.

After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, EQUIPMENT, or supplies.

6-501.17 Absorbent Materials on Floors, Use Limitation.

Except as specified in ¶ 6-501.13(B), sawdust, wood shavings, granular salt, baked clay, diatomaceous earth, or similar materials may not be used on floors.

6-501.18 Maintaining and Using Handwashing Facilities.

Handwashing facilities shall be kept clean, and maintained and used as specified under § 5 -205.11.

6-501.19 Closing Toilet Room Doors.

Toilet room doors as specified under §6 -202.14 shall be kept closed except during cleaning and maintenance operations.

6-501.110 Using Dressing Rooms and Lockers.

(A) Dressing rooms shall be used by EMPLOYEES if the EMPLOYEES regularly change their clothes in the establishment.

(B) Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of EMPLOYEE clothing and other possessions.

6-501.111 Controlling Pests.*

The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the PREMISES by:

(A) Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of FOOD and supplies; N

(B) Routinely inspecting the PREMISES for evidence of pests; N

(C) Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified under §§ 7 -202.12, 7-206.12, and 7-206.13; and

(D) Eliminating harborage conditions. N

6-501.112 Removing Dead or Trapped Birds, Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests.

Dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, and other pests shall be removed from control devices and the PREMISES at a frequency that prevents their accumulation, decomposition, or the attraction of pests.

6-501.113 Storing Maintenance Tools.

Maintenance tools such as brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, and similar items shall be:

(A) Stored so they do not contaminate FOOD, EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, LINENS, and SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES; and

(B) Stored in an orderly manner that facilitates cleaning the area used for storing the maintenance tools.

6-501.114 Maintaining Premises, Unnecessary Items and Litter.

The PREMISES shall be free of:

(A) Items that are unnecessary to the operation or maintenance of the establishment such as EQUIPMENT that is nonfunctional or no longer used; and

(B) Litter.

6-501.115 Prohibiting Animals.*

(A) Except as specified in ¶¶ (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the PREMISES of a FOOD ESTABLISHMENT.

(B) Live animals may be allowed in the following situations if the contamination of FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES can not result:

(1) Edible FISH or decorative FISH in aquariums, SHELLFISH or crustacea on ice or under refrigeration, and SHELLFISH and crustacea in display tank systems;

(2) Patrol dogs accompanying police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas;

(3) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as dining and sales areas, SERVICE ANIMALS that are controlled by the disabled EMPLOYEE or PERSON, if a health or safety HAZARD will not result from the presence or activities of the SERVICE ANIMAL;

(4) Pets in the common dining areas of GROUP RESIDENCES at times other than during meals if:
(a) Effective partitioning and self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from FOOD storage or FOOD preparation areas,

(b) Condiments, EQUIPMENT, and UTENSILS are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common dining areas when pets are present, and

(c) Dining areas including tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned before the next meal service; and

(5) In areas that are not used for FOOD preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which there are caged animals or animals that are similarly restricted, such as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays animals.

(C) Live or dead FISH bait may be stored if contamination of FOOD; clean EQUIPMENT, UTENSILS, and LINENS; and unwrapped SINGLE-SERVICE and SINGLE-USE ARTICLES can not result.

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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