Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 55-89 - Food, Lodging, and Recreation Safety
Chapter ATCP 70 - Wholesale Food Manufacturing
Subchapter II - General Requirements
Section ATCP 70.12 - Equipment and utensils

(1) CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE; GENERAL. Equipment and utensils shall be of sanitary design and construction. Equipment and utensils shall be readily accessible for cleaning and inspection and shall be constructed so that they can be easily cleaned. Equipment and utensils shall be kept clean and in good repair. This subsection does not apply to a maple sap concentration facility licensed as a food processing plant that is required to meet the provisions of s. ATCP 87.26.

(2) FOOD CONTACT SURFACES. Food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be constructed of stainless steel or other materials which are smooth, impervious, nontoxic, noncorrosive, nonabsorbent, and durable under normal use conditions. Food contact surfaces shall be easily cleanable, and shall be free of breaks, open seams, cracks, or similar defects. Food contact surfaces shall not impart any odor, color, taste, or adulterating substance to food. Food contact surfaces, other than food contact surfaces of approved C-I-P systems, shall be readily accessible for manual cleaning. Joints and fittings shall be of sanitary design and construction.

Note: Hard maple or other material which is non-absorbent may be used for cutting blocks, boards, and bakers' tables. Sanitary wooden paddles in good condition may be used in confectionaries.

(3) C-I-P SYSTEMS. C-I-P systems shall be of sanitary design and construction, and shall be installed and maintained for sanitary operation. A C-I-P system shall be installed and maintained so that cleaning and sanitizing solutions can be circulated throughout all interior product contact surfaces of the system. C-I-P systems shall be equipped with adequate inspection ports or other access points. C-I-P systems shall be self-draining, or shall be capable of being easily and completely drained. A temperature recording device, which accurately records the return temperatures of cleaning and sanitizing solutions, shall be installed in all circuits through which cleaning and sanitizing solutions are circulated. Cleaning records shall be kept for at least 90 days after they are created.

(4) LOCATION AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT. Equipment that cannot be easily moved shall be installed in a manner preventing liquid or debris from accumulating under or around the equipment. Equipment shall be installed so there is adequate clearance on all sides for cleaning and maintenance. This does not apply to that portion of a tank or container designed and installed to protrude into or through the wall or ceiling of a food processing plant. Air intake vents for food or ingredient storage containers shall be located in processing areas or shall be properly filtered.

(5) MEASURING DEVICES AND CONTROLS. Every freezer and cold storage compartment used to store or hold potentially hazardous food shall be equipped with a thermometer or other device accurately indicating the temperature in the compartment. Instruments and controls used for measuring, regulating, and recording temperatures, pH, acidity, water activity, or other conditions that control or prevent the growth of undesirable microorganisms in food shall be accurate and adequate for their intended use.

(6) LUBRICATION. Equipment shall be designed and constructed so gear and bearing lubricants do not come in contact with food or food contact surfaces. Only food grade lubricants may be used in equipment if incidental food contact may occur.