Section 410IAC7-21-39. Sanitary operations; general maintenance

   (a) The plant shall be:

(1) maintained in a sanitary condition; and

(2) kept in repair sufficient to prevent food from becoming adulterated.

Cleaning and sanitizing of utensils and equipment shall be conducted in a manner that protects against contamination of food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials.

  (b) Food-contact surfaces, utensils, and equipment shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination of food by performing the following:

(1) Food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils used for manufacturing or holding low moisture food shall be in a dry, clean, and sanitary condition at the time of use. When the food-contact surfaces are wet cleaned, they shall be sanitized and thoroughly dried before subsequent use.

(2) In wet processing, when cleaning is performed to protect against the introduction of micro-organisms into food, food-contact surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized before use and after any interruption during which the food-contact surfaces may have become contaminated.

(3) Where equipment and utensils are used in a continuous production operation, food-contact surfaces of the equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized as necessary to prevent contamination.

(4) Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment used in the operation of food plants should be cleaned as frequently as necessary to protect against contamination of food.

(5) Single-service articles, such as utensils intended for one-time use, paper cups, and paper towels, should be stored in appropriate containers and shall be handled, dispensed, used, and disposed of in a manner that protects against contamination of food or food-contact surfaces.

(6) Cleaned and sanitized portable equipment with food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be stored in a location and manner that protects food-contact surfaces from contamination.

(7) Sanitizing agents shall be effective and safe under conditions of use. Any facility, procedure, or machine is acceptable for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils if it is established that the facility, procedure, or machine will routinely render equipment and utensils clean and sanitized.

(8) Chemical sanitizers and other chemical antimicrobials applied to food-contact surfaces shall meet the requirements specified in 21 CFR 178.1010.

(Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 7-21-39; filed Jan 7, 2002, 10:16 a.m.: 25 IR 1623, eff one hundred twenty (120) days after filing with secretary of state; readopted filed Jul 14, 2008, 2:14 p.m.: 20080806-IR-410080322RFA; readopted filed Sep 10, 2014, 2:08 p.m.: 20141008-IR-410140299RFA)