(1) CONSTRUCTION
AND MAINTENANCE; GENERAL.
(a) Equipment and
utensils used at a licensed food processing plant in processing maple syrup or
shelf-stable concentrated maple sap using methods other than concentration, or
in processing non-shelf-stable concentrated maple sap, maple sap, and
maple-derived water, shall be constructed, used, and maintained in accordance
with s.
ATCP 70.12. Equipment and utensils used solely for
concentration of maple sap including tanks, bulk containers, filters,
hydrometers, thermometers, and skimmers, shall be of sanitary design and
construction. Lead or lead-alloy soldering may not be used in the construction
or repair of food-contact surfaces. Equipment and utensils used solely for
concentration of maple sap shall be readily accessible for cleaning and
inspection and shall be constructed so that items can be easily cleaned.
Equipment and utensils used solely for concentration of maple sap shall be kept
clean and in good repair.
(b) Food
contact surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be constructed of stainless
steel or of one or more other food-grade materials that are smooth, impervious,
nontoxic, non-corrodible, 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 shall be readily accessible for manual cleaning. A frame
encasing an evaporator hood connected to a vent shall be made of a smooth,
cleanable, food-grade material.
(c)
Single-service articles shall be stored in the original containers in which
they were received, or in other closed containers which will protect them from
contamination before use. Single-service articles may not be reused.
(d) Filtering materials such as socks and
presses shall be in a clean condition before use. Filter papers may not be
re-used.
(2) COVERING OF
VESSELS CONTAINING MAPLE PRODUCTS. Vessels holding liquid maple products or
maple-derived water shall be covered to prevent contamination. This provision
does not apply to vessels only holding maple sap before concentration of the
maple sap.
(3) ULTRAVIOLET LIGHTS.
Ultraviolet light sources shall be shielded or shatterproof.
(4) FILTERING AND DEFOAMING AGENTS. Filtering
agents such as diatomaceous earth shall be non-toxic. Foaming agents and other
processing aids shall be food grade and shall not contain any ingredient
originating from milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, tree nuts, fish, or
crustacean shellfish.
(5) LOCATION
AND INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT. Equipment that cannot be easily moved shall be
installed in a manner that prevents liquid or debris from accumulating under or
around the equipment. Equipment shall be installed so that there is adequate
clearance on all sides for cleaning and maintenance.
(6) CLEANING AND SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND
UTENSILS; GENERAL.
(a) All food contact
surfaces of equipment and utensils shall be cleaned as often as necessary to
remove visible debris and the equipment shall be sanitized before the next
contact with maple sap or maple syrup. When seasonal processing is completed,
equipment and utensils shall be cleaned and stored in a sanitary
manner.
(b) Reverse osmosis
equipment shall be cleaned according to the manufacturer's
directions.
(c) Sanitizers and
methods used to sanitize equipment under this section shall comply with s.
ATCP 70.28.
