Current through August 26, 2024
(1)
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE; GENERAL. Buildings and facilities at a licensed
food processing plant used to process liquid maple products, or maple-derived
water by methods other than concentration shall be constructed and maintained
in accordance with s.
ATCP 70.08. Buildings and facilities at a licensed food
processing plant used solely for concentration of maple sap shall be of sound
construction, and shall be constructed with tightly sealed walls and ceiling to
exclude pests. The floor of the food processing facility shall be finished with
a smooth, cleanable, and durable material, and shall be maintained in a clean
condition. The premises immediately adjacent to the facility shall be well
drained and kept free of accumulations of garbage, refuse, and other potential
health nuisances.
(2) DOORS AND
WINDOWS. Doors, windows, skylights, transoms, and other external openings shall
be tight-fitting, free of breaks, and effectively screened or protected against
the entry of pests. External doors shall be kept closed when not in
use.
(3) LIGHTING.
(a) Lighting in every area of the maple sap
concentration facility, whether natural or artificial, shall be not less than
10 foot candles, or 108 lux.
(b)
Artificial lights shall be equipped with protective shields and end caps or
shatter resistant bulbs.
(4) VENTILATION. Ventilation in the maple sap
concentration facility shall be sufficient to prevent condensation.
(5) TOILET AND HANDWASHING FACILITIES. All
employees working in the maple sap concentration facility shall have convenient
access to a sanitary toilet in a toilet room, complying with applicable local
law, or a self-contained portable toilet maintained in compliance with ch. NR
113. Each maple sap concentration area shall be equipped with a conveniently
located handwashing sink and each sink shall be provided at all times with
potable water under pressure, soap in a soap dispenser, a sanitary
single-service means of drying the hands, and an easily cleanable covered trash
receptacle. A single handwashing facility may also service areas in which
pre-package processing, storage, and packaging of liquid maple products and
maple-derived water are done, provided the handwashing sink is conveniently
located for employee use.
(6)
CLEANING FACILITIES.
(a) If equipment,
utensils, or containers are cleaned or sanitized manually, the maple sap
concentration facility shall be equipped with a sink comprised of at least 3
compartments that is suitable for all manual cleaning and sanitizing
operations. Sinks shall be conveniently located and adequate in number. Each
sink shall be constructed of stainless steel or of one or more other materials
approved by the department.
(b)
Every sink compartment shall be large enough to accommodate the immersion of at
least 50% of the largest item to be cleaned or sanitized in the sink. Every
sink compartment shall be served by hot and cold running water under pressure,
and shall be cleaned before each use.
(c) Drain boards shall be provided in
connection with every sink. Drain boards shall be large enough to accommodate
soiled equipment and utensils before washing, and cleaned and sanitized
equipment and utensils after the drain boards are cleaned and sanitized. Drain
boards shall be located and constructed so that they do not interfere with
washing and sanitizing operations. This paragraph does not prohibit the use of
easily movable dish tables as drain boards if the dish tables comply with this
paragraph.
(d) Brushes and cleaning
tools shall be constructed of materials that can be cleaned and sanitized, and
shall be kept clean, and in good repair. Wiping cloths used to clean equipment
and utensils shall be cleaned, sanitized, and dried after each day's use, and
shall be stored in an approved sanitizing solution between uses during the
processing day. Sanitizing solutions for wiping cloths shall be changed
frequently enough to maintain an effective concentration of sanitizing chemical
or at least daily, whichever is more frequent. Sanitizers shall be used in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Wiping cloths used to clean
food contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall not be used for any other
purpose. Single service disposable towels may be used in place of re-usable
cloths if they are discarded after use.
(e) If a mechanical system is used to clean
or sanitize equipment, utensils, or containers, the mechanical system shall be
designed, installed, and maintained so that it is fully effective for the
purpose used. If a chemical sanitizer is used, the operator must be able to
demonstrate that the chemical sanitizer is used properly.
(7) PLUMBING SYSTEM AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL.
Sewage and waste materials from the maple sap concentration facility shall be
removed in a sanitary manner, in compliance with applicable state and local
regulations. All plumbing, plumbing fixtures, and equipment shall be designed,
installed, and maintained to prevent backflow, backsiphonage,
cross-connections, and contamination.
Note: Plumbing and plumbing fixtures are
subject to the requirements of chs.
SPS
381 to 387, enforced by the department of safety and
professional services.
(8)
GARBAGE AND REFUSE DISPOSAL.
(a) Garbage and
refuse shall not be allowed to accumulate in or around the maple sap
concentration facility. Garbage and refuse shall be removed as often as
necessary to maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary condition.
(b) A separate room or a designated area for
the accumulation of garbage and refuse must be provided in maple sap
concentration facilities that do not have a system for the daily removal or
destruction of garbage and refuse. Garbage and refuse storage areas shall be
constructed and maintained so they do not attract or harbor pests.
(c) Garbage and refuse shall be held in
durable, leak-proof, easily cleanable, and pest-resistant containers that are
kept covered with tight-fitting lids, and shall be cleaned when necessary to
prevent insanitary conditions.
(d)
Garbage and refuse may not be burned on the premises, except in compliance with
state and local laws. Garbage, refuse, and building materials shall not be
burned on the premises if burning may contaminate liquid maple products or
maple-derived water produced at the facility.
(9) CONTROL OF PESTS.
(a) Effective measures shall be taken to
control insects, rodents and other pests in the facility. Pesticides and other
hazardous substances may not be stored or used in a manner that may contaminate
food, or which may constitute a hazard to employees or the public. Pesticides
shall not be stored, handled, or used in a manner inconsistent with label
directions, or in a negligent manner. Only pesticides approved for use in food
processing operations may be stored or used in the facility.
(b) Animals, including domesticated animals,
shall be kept out of maple sap concentration areas.
(10) STORAGE OF FUEL FOR MAPLE SAP
EVAPORATOR. Evaporation equipment may be fueled by natural gas, oil, or wood.
All fuel shall be stored outside the maple sap concentration
facility.
