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The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through January 15, 2010

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

 

DIVISION 25

FOOD ESTABLISHMENT STANDARDS AND STANDARDS
FOR RETAIL FOOD SERVICE ACTIVITIES

603-025-0010

Definitions

In addition to the definitions set forth in ORS Chapter 616, the following shall apply:

(1) "Bulk Food" means unpackaged or unwrapped, processed or unprocessed food in aggregate containers from which quantities desired by the consumer are withdrawn, but does not include fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts in the shell, salad bar ingredients or potentially hazardous foods.

(2) "Corrosion-Resistant Materials" means those materials that maintain acceptable sanitary surface characteristics under prolonged influence of the food to be contacted, the normal use of cleaning compounds and sanitizing solutions, and other conditions of usage.

(3) "Display Area" means a location, including physical facilities and equipment, where bulk food is offered for customer self-service.

(4) "Distressed Merchandise" means any food which has had the label lost or destroyed, or which has been subjected to possible damage due to accident, fire, flood, adverse weather, or to any other similar cause, and which may have been thereby rendered unsafe or unsuitable for human or animal consumption or use.

(5) "Easily Cleanable" means readily accessible and of such material, fabrication and finish that residues may be effectively removed by normal cleaning methods.

(6) "Employee" means any person working in a food establishment.

(7) "Equipment" means all display cases, storage cases, tables, counters, shelving, refrigerators, sinks, food processing preparation and packaging equipment, and any other items used in the operation of a food establishment.

(8) "Food Source" means food shall be in a sound condition and safe for human consumption and shall be produced in compliance with applicable laws relating to food safety.

(9) "Food-Contact Surfaces" means those surfaces of equipment and utensils with which food normally comes into contact, and those surfaces from which food may drain, drip, or splash back onto surfaces normally in contact with food.

(10) "Food Processing" means the cooking, baking, heating, drying, mixing, grinding, churning, separating, extracting, cutting, freezing or otherwise manufacturing a food or changing the physical characteristics of a food, and the packaging, canning or otherwise enclosing of such food in a container, but does not mean the sorting, cleaning or water-rinsing of a food.

(11) "Food Retailing" or "Operating a Retail Food Store" means the preparing, packaging, storing, handling or displaying of food for sale at retail to the consumer or user, and may include produce trimming, processed meat slicing, cheese slicing, preparing gutted and filleted fish, and providing retail customer services to change the form of food such as juice squeezing or peanut grinding (if more than one of these customer services is made available, the activities shall then be considered food processing rather than food retailing).

(12) "Food Service Establishment" means any place where food is prepared and intended for individual portion service, and includes the site at which individual portions are provided, whether consumption is on or off the premises and whether or not there is a charge for the food, and includes a delicatessen that offer prepared foods in individual service portions, but does not include a private home where food is prepared or served for individual family consumption, a retail food store, a food vending machine location or a supply vehicle.

(13) "Food Storage Warehouse" means any building or place where food is stored as a commercial venture or business, or stored in connection with or as a part of a commercial venture or business, but does not include a home, restaurant, rooming house, hotel or similar place where food is stored to be used or consumed by the owner or served to employees, customers, or guests, nor an establishment licensed by the department under other laws.

(14) "Hazardous Substance" means a substance or mixture of substances which is toxic, corrosive, an irritant, flammable, which generates pressure through heat, decomposition or other means, which has been designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a strong sensitizer or a radioactive material, or which may cause substantial personal injury or substantial illness during or as a proximate result of any reasonable foreseeable handling or use, including reasonably foreseeable ingestion by children.

(15) "Hermetically Sealed Container" means a container which is designed and intended to be secure against the entry of microorganisms and to maintain the commercial sterility of its contents after processing.

(16) "Kitchenware" means all multi-use utensils other than tableware.

(17) "Non-Salvageable Merchandise" means distressed merchandise which cannot be safely or practically reconditioned.

(18) "Operator" means any person having the direct and primary responsibility for the construction, maintenance and operation of a food establishment.

(19) "Packaged" means bottled, canned, cartoned, bagged or completely wrapped.

(20) "Physical Facilities" means the structure and interior surfaces of a food establishment including accessories such as soap and towel dispensers and attachments such as light fixtures and heating or air conditioning system vents.

(21) "Plant" means the building or buildings or parts thereof, used for or in connection with the manufacturing, packaging, storing, labeling or holding of food for humans, dogs or cats.

(22) "Potentially Hazardous Food" means any food that consists whole or in part of milk or milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, edible crustacia or other ingredients, including synthetic ingredients, in a form capable of supporting rapid and progressive growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms, but does not include food which has a pH level of 4.6 or below or a water activity (Aw) value of 0.85 or less.

(23) "Product Module" means a food-contact container (multi-use or single-service) designed for customer self-service of bulk food by either direct or indirect means.

(24) "Reconditioning" means any appropriate process or procedure by which distressed merchandise can be brought into compliance with all federal or state requirements so as to make it suitable for consumption or for use as human or animal feed.

(25) "Retail Fruit and Vegetable Stand" means any place where fresh fruits or vegetables are offered for sale at retail to the user or consumer.

(26) "Safe Materials" means articles manufactured from or composed of materials that may not reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, in their becoming a component or otherwise affecting the characteristics of any food, if they are food additives or color additives (as defined in Section 201(s) or (t) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act), are used in conformity with the federal regulations adopted under Section 409 or 706 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and if they are not food additives or color additives, are used in conformity with other applicable regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

(27) "Safe Temperatures" as applied to potentially hazardous food, means air temperatures of 41°F or below and 130°F or above.

(28) "Salvage Dealer" or "Salvage Distributor" means any person who is engaged in selling or distributing salvaged merchandise.

(29) "Salvage Processing Facility" means an establishment engaged in the business of reconditioning distressed merchandise.

(30) "Salvage Processor" means any person who operates a salvage processing facility.

(31) "Salvaged Merchandise" means reconditioned distressed merchandise, and "salvageable merchandise" means distressed merchandise capable of being reconditioned.

(32) "Sanitize" or "Sanitization" means effective bactericidal treatment of physically clean surfaces of equipment and utensils by a process which has been approved by the department as being effective in reducing microorganisms, including pathogens, to a safe level.

(33) "Sealed" means free of cracks or other openings that permit the entry or passage of moisture.

(34) "Servicing Area" means a designated location equipped for cleaning, sanitizing, drying, refilling product modules, or preparing bulk food.

(35) "Single-Service Articles" means items used by the retailer or consumer such as cups, containers, lids, packaging materials, bags and similar articles, intended for contact with food and designed for one-time use, but does not include single use articles, such as No. 10 cans, aluminum pie pans, bread wrappers and similar articles, into which food has been packaged by the manufacturer.

(36) "Supplier" means any person who transfers distressed merchandise to a salvage processor.

(37) "Tableware" means multi-use eating and drinking utensils.

(38) "Transportation" means the movement of food, the delivery of food from one location to another location while under the control of an operator.

(39) "Utensil" means any food-contact implement used in the storage, preparation, transportation, or dispensing of food.

(40) "Vehicle" means any truck, trailer, car, bus, railcar, aircraft, boat, ship or barge by which food is transported from one location to another.

(41) "Warewashing" means the cleaning and sanitizing of food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils.

(42) "Wholesome" means food found in sound condition, clean, free from adulteration and otherwise suitable for human consumption.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561, 616 & 619
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.230
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87; AD 21-1990, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-90; DOA 13-1999, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-99; DOA 29-2002, f. 12-23-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; DOA 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-06

General Standards

603-025-0020

General Standards of Food Establishment Construction and Maintenance

(1) Buildings: Food establishment structures shall be suitable in size, construction, and design to facilitate maintenance and sanitary operations for food preparation or distribution purposes.

(2) Surroundings: The grounds around a food establishment that are under the control of the operator shall be free from conditions which may result in contamination of food, including the following:

(a) Improperly stored equipment, litter, waste, or refuse, and uncut weeds or grass, within the immediate vicinity of the establishment structures that may constitute an attractant, breeding place or harborage for rodents, insects, birds and other pests;

(b) Excessively dusty roads, yards or parking lots that may constitute a source of contamination in areas where food is exposed; or

(c) Inadequately drained areas that may constitute a source of contamination of food products through seepage or food-borne filth, or by providing a breeding place for insects or microorganisms.

(3) Floors: Floors in a food establishment shall be easily cleanable, smooth, and of tight construction. All new constructed, or reconstructed, floors shall be of nonabsorbent materials. When subject to flood-type cleaning, floors in new construction shall be sloped to drain and be provided with drains in compliance with state plumbing code standards. Joints at wall-floor junctions shall be covered and tight. The floors shall be kept clean and in good repair, and sweeping compounds (dust arrestors) shall be used when dry-sweeping floors.

(4) Walls and Ceilings: The surface of walls and ceilings of all display, storage and processing rooms in a food establishment shall be reasonably smooth and easily cleanable. All walls and ceilings shall be kept clean, in good repair and of a light color.

(5) Doors and Windows: All openings to the outside in a food establishment shall have tight-fitting doors, windows and effective screens. Properly operating air screens are acceptable. All doors used by the public shall be self-closing.

(6) Lighting: Adequate lighting shall be provided in handwashing areas, dressing and locker rooms, toilet rooms, all areas where food or food ingredients are examined, processed or stored, and areas where equipment and utensils are cleaned. Light bulbs, fixtures, skylights or other glass fixtures suspended over exposed food in any step of preparation shall be of the safety type or the food otherwise protected to prevent contamination in case of breakage.

(7) Ventilation: Adequate ventilation or control equipment shall be provided in order to minimize odors and noxious fumes or vapors (including steam) in areas where they may contaminate food. The ventilation or control equipment shall not create conditions that may contribute to food contamination by airborne contaminants, and shall be constructed and installed to comply with the State Fire Marshal codes.

(8) Water Supply: The water supply shall be sufficient for the operation intended and shall be derived from a source of adequate pressure and volume, be safe, be of sanitary quality, and comply with the State Plumbing Code. Running water at a suitable temperature and under needed pressure shall be provided in all areas where the processing of food, the cleaning of equipment, utensils or containers, or employee sanitary facilities takes place. Water used for washing, rinsing or conveying of food products shall be of adequate quality, and water shall not be re-used for washing, rinsing, or conveying products in a manner that may result in contamination of food products. There shall be no cross-connections between a safe water supply and any unsafe or questionable water supply. All private water supplies shall be inspected and approved before the water can be used. Where applicable, and for the manufacture of ice, a water supply shall comply with all requirements of the Oregon Drinking Water Quality Act, ORS 448.119 to 448.285, and the administrative rules adopted thereunder, OAR 333-061-0010 to 333-061-0095.

(9) Toilet and Handwashing Facilities: The toilet and handwashing facilities shall be plumbed to comply with the State Plumbing Code. The toilet and handwashing facilities must be adequate, clean, in good repair, and conveniently located. The door to the toilet room shall be tight, self-closing, and shall not open directly into any room where foods are exposed for sale. The toilet room shall be completely enclosed and any window openings screened to prevent entrance of insects. All handwashing facilities shall have hot and cold running water, a wash basin, soap, single-service towels, and a waste container. A handwashing notice shall be posted in each toilet room and handwashing facilities. Handwashing facilities shall be provided convenient to food packaging and preparation area.

(10) Waste Disposal: All liquid wastes resulting from cleaning and rinsing utensils, equipment and floors, from flush toilets, and from handwashing facilities, refrigeration devices and air conditioners, shall be disposed of into a public sewage system or by a method approved by the State Department of Environmental Quality or local health department having jurisdiction. All garbage and rubbish containing food wastes shall, prior to disposal, be kept in leak-proof, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable containers, and be stored so as to be inaccessible to vermin. The containers, unless kept in a special vermin-proofed room or enclosure, shall be covered with tight-fitting lids. Disposable containers with leak proof liners may be used. Containers shall be provided for trash or rubbish. The establishment shall be free of unnecessary litter and rubbish, such as paper, empty containers or other material, that might serve as a place for rodent harborage or other vermin. The containers, and the room or area in which such containers are stored, shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and shall be disposed of at regular intervals so as not to constitute being a nuisance or health hazard.

(11) Vermin Control: All reasonable measures shall be taken to protect the establishment against the entrance, breeding or presence of rodents, birds, flies, roaches, weevils and other vermin. Unwrapped food display items shall be covered when an aerosol method of applying approved pesticides is being used for vermin control in the establishment.

(12) Personnel Cleanliness:

(a) No person known to be affected with any disease in a communicable form, known to be a carrier of a communicable disease, known to be afflicted with boils, infected wounds or open sores, or known to have acute respiratory infection, shall work in any area of an establishment in any capacity in which there is a likelihood of the person contaminating food or food-contact surfaces with pathogenic organisms, or of transmitting disease to other individuals. The operator of an establishment, when he knows or has reason to believe that any employee has contacted any disease in a communicable form transmissible through food, or has become a carrier of such disease, shall immediately notify the county health officer or the department. The department may require a person engaged in the production, manufacture, packing, storage or distribution of food products to be examined by a physician if there is reasonable cause to believe that such person is affected by communicable or infectious disease;

(b) All persons, while working in direct contact with food preparations, food ingredients or contact surfaces shall:

(A) Wear clean and suitable outer garments, maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness, and conform to hygienic practices, while on duty so as to the extent necessary to prevent contamination of food products;

(B) Wash their hands thoroughly (and sanitize if necessary to prevent contamination by undesirable microorganisms) in a handwashing facility before starting work, after each absence from the work station, and at any other time when the hands may have become soiled or contaminated;

(C) Remove all unsecure jewelry or jewelry that cannot be sanitized, during periods when food is manipulated by hand;

(D) If gloves are used in food handling, they should be of an impermeable material (except where their usage would be inappropriate or incompatible with the work involved) and maintained in an intact, clean and sanitary condition;

(E) Wear hairnets, headbands, caps or other effective hair restraints for both head and facial hair;

(F) Not store clothing or other personal belongings, eat food, drink beverages, or use tobacco in any form, in areas where food or food ingredients are exposed or in areas used for washing equipment or utensils;

(G) Take any other precautions required to prevent contamination of foods with microorganisms or foreign substances (including perspiration, hair, cosmetics, tobacco, chemicals or medicants).

(c) The establishment shall be responsible for the education of personnel, the training of food handlers and supervisors, and the appointment of competent supervisory personnel.

(13) Dressing and Locker Room Facilities: A room or enclosure separate from food display, packaging and preparation areas in an establishment shall be provided where employees may change clothes, store outer garments and eat lunches. Dressing rooms and lunch rooms shall be kept clean, in good repair and be provided with covered waste receptacles.

(14) Protection of Stored Foods Against Contamination: No dogs, cats, fowl, birds or other type animal shall be permitted in an establishment except for guide-dogs for blind or deaf persons, as authorized by ORS 346.620 and 346.650. All hazardous substances shall be stored in an area separate from food products so as to preclude any possible contamination of the stored foods. Rodenticides shall be placed in covered bait boxes, if necessary, to prevent spillage or possible contamination of stored food and danger to employees. The bait boxes shall be properly labeled with a warning notice. All rodenticide baits shall be applied so as to prevent contamination of stored food products. All pesticides used for control of vermin shall be of approved type and applied so as to protect stored foods from contamination and shall be applied in accordance with labeled instructions. Cleaning materials, pesticides, rodenticides or any other hazardous substances used in the operation of an establishment shall be stored in properly labeled containers, in a closed closet or cabinet, with a hazardous substance warning notice on the door. When a licensed pest control service is employed, it shall deliver to the establishment a diagram of the bait station locations and the rodenticides in use, or advise an employee of the establishment who has been designated by the operator to be responsible for the pest control program. There shall be no overhead waste drainpipes or other piping that may cause undue condensation problems unless equipped with protective shields to preclude possible contamination of foods stored below. Storage methods shall be used which will minimize deterioration and prevent contamination of stored food products. Shelves, cabinets, dunnage and pallets shall be used, if necessary, to protect stored food products from contamination or deterioration. Construction of shelving, cabinets, and storage methods shall permit ready access to cleaning and sanitary inspection. Bagged animal feeds shall be stored so as not to be intermingled with the storage of human food products. Storage on separate pallets is acceptable. Fixtures, ducts, pipes and catwalks shall not be suspended over working areas so that drip or condensate may contaminate foods, raw materials or food-contact surfaces. Only the toxic materials that are required to maintain sanitary conditions, for use in laboratory testing procedures, for maintenance and operation of equipment, or for manufacturing or processing operations, shall be used or stored in the establishment. These materials shall only be used in a manner and under conditions as will be safe for their intended uses.

(15) Transportation of Foods: All cars, trucks or other vehicles used in the transportation of food products shall be kept in a clean condition at all times. Refuse, dirt and waste products subject to decomposition shall be removed daily. Food products shall be handled so as to protect them from deterioration or contamination by hazardous substances while in transit.

(16) Protection of Food Quality: Potentially hazardous foods in food establishments shall be stored or displayed at a safe temperature in keeping with good manufacturing practices so as to insure that the food will reach the consumer in a condition that is safe and fit for human consumption. All refrigerated food display cases, food storage refrigerators and walk-in coolers shall be equipped with an accurate, visible thermometer located in the warmest storage areas. Frozen food shall be kept frozen and shall be stored in storage or display facilities capable of maintaining and having an air temperature of 0°F. or below, except during defrost cycles and brief periods of loading or unloading. All refrigerated food display cases, food storage refrigerators and walk-in coolers shall be kept clean and in good repair. Refrigerated food display cases shall not be filled above the load line.

(17) Labeling of Food Containers and Packages: Labels on closed food containers and packages shall be clearly legible and contain all the information required by the provisions of ORS Chapter 616, the administrative rules adopted thereunder, and the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.

(18) Distressed Merchandise: Distressed merchandise shall not be offered for sale for human food unless reconditioned and inspected by the department to determine if it complies with the requirements of the 1984 Model Food Salvage Code, Chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the labeling and placard requirements of OAR 603-025-0160 and 603-025-0170.

(19) Variance clause: Upon written petition by the owner of a food establishment, the department may grant a variance to those sections of OAR 603-025-0020, 0030 or 0150 that regulate the physical facilities, equipment standards, and food source requirements when:

(a) No health or sanitation hazard would exist as a result of this action; and

(b) The variance is consistent with the intent of these regulations.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561, ORS 616 & ORS 619
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87; AD 21-1990, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-90; DOA 13-1999, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-99; DOA 29-2002, f. 12-23-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03

Retail

603-025-0030

Retail Food Code

(1) In addition to the provisions of OAR 603-025-0020 a retail food establishment shall comply with the Retail Food Code. [Code not included. See ED. NOTE.]

(2) Retail Fruit and Vegetable Stands and Similar Outlets: Retail fruit and vegetable stands, and other similar unusual food sales outlets, are also subject to these retail food establishment provisions, except as follows:

(a) Fruit and vegetable stands located on a farmers own property, wherein only fruits; and

(b) Vegetables grown by the owner are sold, and no food processing is being done, are exempt from licensing;

(c) Other fruit and vegetable stands may be exempted from certain retail food establishment requirements where the department determines that public health principles would be compromised.

(3) New Establishment Construction or Remodeling:

(a) Prior to undertaking construction of a new retail food establishment, and as a condition to obtaining a license to operate the establishment, a copy of the construction plans and specifications, together with a statement of an expected completion date, shall be submitted to the department for review and comment as to sanitation and food maintenance;

(b) Prior to undertaking remodeling of an existing establishment in order to expand or add food processing or food service facilities, a copy of the construction plans and specifications, together with a statement of an expected completion date, shall be submitted to the department for review and comment as to sanitation and food maintenance.

[ED. NOTE: Code referenced is available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561, 616 & 619
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87; AD 21-1990, f. & cert. ef. 11-27-90; DOA 29-2002, f. 12-23-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; DOA 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-06

Open Dating

603-025-0080

Foods Subject to Pull Date Labeling

Unless otherwise provided, the following perishable foods shall be open date labeled with the pull date:

(1) Processed or cured meat and meat products including wieners, bologna, luncheon meat, liver sausage, salami, braunschweiger, hams and ham products, and bacon (tuck or vacuum packed).

(2) Fluid milk and cream products for which a standard of identity has been established under ORS Chapter 621, cottage cheeses, yogurts, cheeses with a moisture content of more than 50 percent, sour creams, and party dips.

(3) Bakery products as defined in subsection (2) of ORS 625.010, pastries, cookies, or crackers having a moisture content of 16 percent or more.

(4) Eggs in shell.

(5) Vegetable, macaroni, or potato salads that use mayonnaise or other acidic dressing as an ingredient or dressing, puddings, sandwiches, and other ready-to-eat products.

(6) Fowl, including chickens, fryers, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other domesticated birds.

(7) Fresh or raw packaged meat products, whether whole, ground, chopped or fabricated.

(8) Fresh sausage products.

(9) Fresh seafood products.

(10) Fresh fish products (not breaded or precooked).

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561 & ORS 616
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 1013(3-74), f. 1-18-74, ef. 7-1-74; AD 1045(35-74)(Temp), f. & ef. 9-16-74 - 1-13-75; AD 1058(4-75), f. 4-21-75, ef. 5-11-75; AD 27-1977, f. & ef. 11-30-77; AD 6-1984, f. & ef. 4-17-84; Renumbered from 603-023-0555; AD 7-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0090

Foods Exempt from Labeling

The following foods shall be exempt from the open date labeling requirements:

(1) Candies, nuts, non-alcoholic beverages (soft drinks), and other fruit juices.

(2) Sterile dairy products; processed or natural cheddar cheese or other hard cheese varieties; margarine; butter and whipped butter.

(3) Pastries, cookies, and crackers having less than 16 percent moisture content; bread sticks; croutons; melba toast; stuffing mixes and other dry bakery products; bakery products otherwise required to be open date labeled which are sold or offered for sale at the same location where prepared or baked (in-store bakeries) and not commingled or displayed with bakery products required to be open date labeled.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190 & ORS 616.835
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 1013(3-74), f. 1-18-74, ef. 7-1-74; Renumbered from 603-023-0570; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0100

Form of Labeling

(1) The required open date shall be affixed, stamped, or imprinted on each retail package and on all closed shipping containers with the name of the month either by number (1 through 12) or three-letter abbreviation (January through December), followed by the numerical (1 through 31) day of said month. The year need not be stated except on foods having a projected shelf life of six months or more. In the event the month is designated numerically, it shall be separated from the day of the month by a space, a dash, or asterisk.

(2) In lieu of the requirements of section (1) of this rule, bakery products, fresh or raw meat products, fresh seafood products, and fresh fish products with a shelf life of seven days or less may be labeled with a two digit numerical (1 through 31) day of the then current month.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190 & ORS 616.835
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 1013(3-74), f. 1-18-74, ef. 7-1-74; AD 6-1984, f. & ef. 4-17-84; Renumbered from 603-023-0575; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0110

Labeling Placement

(1) The open date shall be affixed, stamped, or imprinted in a size, manner, and style clearly and easily legible and visible to the consumer.

(2) The open date shall not overlay other labeling matter or be of such a color as to be difficult to distinguish from such other labeling matter.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190 & ORS 616.835
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 1013(3-74), f. 1-18-74, ef. 7-1-74; Renumbered from 603-023-0580; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0120

Identification After Pull Date Expiration

Food required to be labeled with a pull date, and after the expiration of such pull date is found to be fit for human consumption, may be sold or offered for sale at retail if:

(1) It is segregated from like foods with unexpired pull dates, either by sorting and separating in the same retail display shelf or cabinet from like foods with unexpired pull dates, or by removal to a separate retail display shelf or cabinet.

(2) Each individual package is labeled or a conspicuous and visible placard is posted immediately adjacent to any display of such food, stating that the pull date of such food has expired. Any label or placard so utilized shall be in legible, boldface type in distinct contrast to the label or placard color.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190 & ORS 616.835
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 1013(3-74), f. 1-18-74, ef. 7-1-74; Renumbered from 603-023-0585; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0130

Label Pull Date Information

Upon the request of the department, a person required to label a perishable food with a pull date shall obtain from the food manufacturer, processor or packager recommending the pull date, data from recognized scientific sources substantiating the establishment and use of the recommended date.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561 & ORS 616
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.835
Hist.: AD 6-1984, f. & ef. 4-17-84; Renumbered from 603-023-0590; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

Warehouses

603-025-0140

Food Storage Warehouses

In addition to the provisions of OAR 603-025-0020, a food storage warehouse shall comply with the following:

(1) Cold Storage: Each cold storage room in a food storage warehouse shall be equipped with an accurate and easily visible thermometer with the sensing element at least five feet above the floor.

(2) Morgue: The operator of a food storage warehouse shall provide an area for the accumulation and holding of all damaged foods or foods which are or may be unwholesome. The operator shall maintain a program of timely and proper disposal of damaged or unwholesome foods to prevent development of insanitary conditions or vermin breeding places and rodent harborage.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561 & ORS 616
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

Food Processing

603-025-0150

Food Processing Establishments

In addition to the provisions of OAR 603-025-0020, a food processing establishment shall comply with the following:

(1) Construction and Repair of Equipment and Utensils: All plant equipment and utensils shall be suitable for their intended use, so designed and of such material and workmanship as to be adequately cleanable, and properly maintained. The design, construction and use of such equipment and utensils shall preclude the adulteration of foods with lubricants, fuel, metal fragments, contaminated water or any other contaminants. All equipment shall be installed and maintained so as to facilitate the cleaning of the equipment and of all adjacent spaces. Aisle or working spaces between equipment and between equipment and walls shall be unobstructed and of sufficient width to permit employees to perform their duties without contamination of food or food contact surfaces with clothing or personal contact.

(2) Sanitary Maintenance and Methods:

(a) Separate rooms shall be provided for those operations which may cause contamination of food products with undesirable microorganisms, chemicals, filth or other extraneous material. Building, fixtures and other physical facilities of the establishment shall be kept in good repair and in a sanitary condition. Cleaning operations shall be conducted so as to minimize the danger of contamination of food and food-contact surfaces. Detergents, sanitizers and other supplies employed in cleaning and sanitizing procedures shall be free of significant microbiological contamination and shall be safe and effective for their intended uses. Cleaning and sanitizing agents shall be subject to approval by the department;

(b) All utensils and product-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned as frequently as necessary to prevent contamination of food and food products. Nonproduct-contact surfaces of equipment used in the operation of food plants should be cleaned as frequently as necessary to minimize accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris. Single-service articles (such as utensils intended for one-time use, paper cups, paper towels, etc.) should be stored in appropriate containers and handled, dispensed, and disposed of in a manner that prevents contamination of food or food-contact surfaces. Where necessary to prevent the introduction of undesirable microbiological organisms into food products, all utensils and product-contact surfaces of equipment used in the plant shall be cleaned and sanitized prior to such use and following any interruption during which such utensils and contact surfaces may have become contaminated. Where such equipment and utensils are used in a continuous production operation, the contact surfaces of such equipment and utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized on a predetermined schedule using adequate methods for cleaning and sanitizing. Sanitizing agents shall be effective and safe under conditions of use. Any facility, procedure, machine or device may be acceptable for cleaning and sanitizing equipment and utensils if it is established that such facility, procedure, machine, or device will routinely render equipment and utensils clean and provide adequate sanitizing treatment;

(c) All cleaned and sanitized portable equipment and utensils with product-contact surfaces should be stored in such a location and manner that product-contact surfaces are protected from splash, dust, and other contamination;

(d) Adequate and convenient facilities for handwashing and, where appropriate, hand sanitizing shall be provided at each location in the plant where good sanitary practices require employees to wash or sanitize and dry their hands. Such facilities shall be furnished with running water at a suitable temperature for handwashing, effective hand cleaning and sanitizing preparations, sanitary towel service or suitable drying devices and, where appropriate, easily cleanable waste receptacles;

(e) All operations in the receiving, inspecting, transporting, packaging, segregating, preparing, processing and storage of food shall be conducted in accordance with adequate sanitation principles. Overall sanitation of the plant shall be under the supervision of an individual assigned responsibility for this function. All reasonable precautions, including the following, shall be taken to assure that production procedures do not contribute contamination such as filth, harmful chemicals, undesirable microorganisms, or any other objectionable material to the processed product:

(A) Raw material and ingredients shall be inspected and segregated as necessary to insure that they are clean, wholesome, and fit for processing into human food and shall be stored under conditions that will protect against contamination and minimize deterioration. Raw materials shall be washed or cleaned as required to remove soil or other contamination;

(B) Containers and carriers of raw ingredients shall be inspected on receipt to assure that their condition has not contributed to the contamination or deterioration of the products. When ice is used in contact with food products, it shall be made from potable water and shall be used only if it has been manufactured in accordance with adequate standards and stored, transported, and handled in a sanitary manner;

(C) Food processing areas and equipment shall not be used to process animal feed or inedible products unless human food will not be contaminated thereby;

(D) Processing equipment shall be maintained in a sanitary condition through frequent cleaning, including sanitization where necessary. If necessary, equipment shall be taken apart for thorough cleaning. All food processing, including packaging and storage, shall be conducted under such conditions and controls as are necessary to minimize the potential for undesirable bacterial of other microbiological growth, toxin formation, or deterioration or contamination of the processed product or ingredients. This may require careful monitoring of such physical factors as time, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow-rate and such processing operations as freezing, dehydration, heat processing, and refrigeration to assure that mechanical breakdowns, time delays, temperature fluctuations and other factors do not contribute to the decomposition or contamination of the processed products;

(E) Chemical, microbiological, or extraneous material testing procedures shall be utilized where necessary to identify sanitation failures or food contamination, and all foods and ingredients that have become contaminated shall be rejected, treated or processed to eliminate the contamination where this may be properly accomplished;

(F) Packaging processes and materials shall not transmit contaminants or objectional substances to the products, shall conform to any applicable food additive rules, and shall provide adequate protection from contamination;

(G) Coding of products sold or otherwise distributed from a manufacturing, processing, packing or repacking activity should be utilized to enable positive lot identification so as to facilitate the segregation of specific food lots that may have become contaminated or otherwise unfit for their intended use. Records shall be retained for a period of time that exceeds the shelf life of the product, but need not be retained for more than two years.

(3) Processing Requirement for Retail Sale of Dehydrated Prunes: Dehydrated prunes shall not be sold at retail or offered or displayed for sale at retail, unless they have been subjected to heat treatment by water or steam to at least 180°F. long enough to remove adhering material and to obtain a uniform desired texture.

(4) Property Tax exemption for qualified machinery and equipment.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is authorized to certify qualified machinery and equipment for the purposes of ORS 307.453 - 307.457.

(5) Definitions:

(a) For the purposes of this section, the definitions in ORS chapter 307.455 apply, unless the context requires otherwise. In addition, the following definitions apply:

(A) "Newly acquired property" means new or used machinery and equipment that is first purchased or leased by a food processor not more than two years (24 months) prior to placing it into service. Leased equipment may be exempt only if the food processor is responsible for the payment of the property taxes under the terms of the lease agreement. Newly acquired property does not include existing equipment that has been refurbished or reconditioned in the time frame provided by this rule.

(B) "Placed into service" means the date the machinery and equipment is first used or in such condition that it is readily available and operational for its intended commercial use. It does not include property that is being tested or is in the process of being erected or installed on the January 1 assessment date.

(C) "Real Market Value of the Property" for the purpose of determining the late filing penalty pursuant to ORS 307.455, means the invoice cost of the machinery and equipment, installation, engineering, and miscellaneous costs including machinery process piping, foundations, power wiring, interest during installation, and freight.

(b) The process for application and determination of certification for qualified machinery and equipment is as follows:

(A) Any food processor requesting certification must make a request for certification in writing on a form provided by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Certification request forms are available on the Oregon Department of Agriculture web site and the Oregon Department of Revenue web site, or are available by mail from either agency upon request.

(B) Upon receiving a completed certification request form, the Food Safety Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture may schedule a visit to the processing site for the purpose of inspecting and verifying the eligibility of machinery requested for certification as qualified machinery or equipment.

(C) After inspecting the food processing equipment requested to be certified, the Oregon Department of Agriculture shall make a determination as to property that is qualified for certification. This determination of certification shall be in writing and include a schedule of all machinery or equipment the Oregon Department of Agriculture has certified.

(c) Following certification, a food processor seeking continued exemption as described at ORS 307.455 must annually verify that equipment previously certified still constitutes qualified machinery or equipment as follows:

(A) By January 30th of each year following certification a food processor must submit to the Food Safety Division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture a signed form that includes a schedule of all equipment previously certified and provides sufficient information to the Oregon Department of Agriculture such that it can determine whether previously-certified machinery or equipment continues to meet certification requirements.

(B) The Oregon Department of Agriculture may inspect any equipment or machinery previously certified for the purposes of determining continued certification pursuant to ORS 307.455.

(C) If a food processor seeks to add additional machinery or equipment not previously certified to its annual certification verification list then the food processor must apply for certification of this additional equipment pursuant to the process for certifying qualified machinery or equipment provided in these rules.

(d) Denial of certification of certain property by the Oregon Department of Agriculture is a contested case for the purpose of ORS Chapter 183.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561 & 616
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87;.DOA 19-2005(Temp), f. 12-23-05, cert. ef. 1-3-06 thru 5-31-06; DOA 13-2006, f.& cert. ef. 6-21-06

Salvage Food Labeling

603-025-0160

Package Labeling Requirements

The label of any food that has been salvaged, as defined in subsection (16) of ORS 616.250, shall comply with the following:

(1) The term "salvaged" shall appear on the principal display panel in the case of any food packaged in a firm (box, carton, or can) container, and either on the principal display panel or upon a firmly attached tag in the case of any food packaged in a soft (bag or sack) container. The labeling requirements shall only apply to the individual immediate container in which the food is packaged for retail or institutional sale, and shall only apply to the food containers actually requiring salvage activities. The term "salvaged" shall be conspicuous and of easily legible bold face print or type in distinct contrast to other matter on the label.

(2) In the event the salvager is other than an agent for the original manufacturer, packer, or distributor, the name and business address of the salvager shall appear in the manner and location prescribed in section (1) of this rule and shall include the city, state, and zip code.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190, ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 1053(42-74), f. 12-20-74, ef. 1-11-75; Renumbered from 603-023-0180; AD 7-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0170

Bulk Placard Requirements

If in bulk display form for wholesale or retail sale (rather than packaged form) any food that has been salvaged, as defined in subsection (16) of ORS 616.250, shall be conspicuously and prominently displayed immediately adjacent to such bulk display. Such placard shall be of easily legible bold face print or type, of such color contrast that it may be easily read, and shall contain the statements required by OAR 603-025-0180.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190, ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 1053(42-74), f. 12-20-74, ef. 1-11-75; Renumbered from 603-023-0185; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87

603-025-0180

Responsibility

The responsibility for the salvage labeling required by OAR 603-025-0180 or 603-025-0170 shall be:

(1) If in bulk display form, the person selling or offering to sell such food at wholesale or retail.

(2) If salvaged within the State of Oregon, the person selling or offering to sell at retail or for institutional use.

(3) If salvaged outside of the State of Oregon, the first person selling or offering to sell such food at wholesale or retail within the State of Oregon.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190, ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.230 & ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 1053(42-74), f. 12-20-74, ef. 1-11-75; Renumbered from 603-023-0190; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87; DOA 29-2002, f. 12-23-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03

Adoption of Federal Regulations

603-025-0190

Standards of Identity, Additives, Pesticide Standards, Food Labeling, Good Manufacturing Practices, Low Acid Canned Foods, and Acidified Foods

(1) As provided in ORS 616.230, 616.780, 621.060, 621.311, 621.405, 625.160, and 635.045, the rules governing food identity, food color additives, food additives, pesticide tolerances, and labeling of or in food adopted by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are hereby adopted as the rules governing this subject matter in Oregon. In addition the Good Manufacturing Practices, Fish and Fishery Products, Low Acid Canned Foods, Acidified Foods and other federal programs contained in the Code of Federal Regulations as specified below are adopted. The adopted federal programs and standards are those set forth in the 2005 version, Title 21, Chapter 1, Parts 1, 70, 73, 74, 81, 82 and 100 through 199, of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(2) In addition, the level of microcystins in Blue-Green Algae (Aphanizomenon flos aquae) finished products shall not exceed 1 microgram per gram (1 ppm.). The microcystins level in finished products shall be determined by an approved laboratory analytical procedure that is acceptable to the Department of Agriculture.

[Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190, 561.605, 561.620 & 616.230
Stats. Implemented: ORS 561.605 - 561.620 & 616.230
Hist.: AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87; AD 17-1993, f. & cert. ef. 11-26-93; AD 17-1997, f. & cert. ef. 10-23-97; DOA 13-1999, f. & cert. ef. 6-15-99; DOA 4-2000, f. & cert. ef. 1-18-00; Administrative correction 4-20-01; DOA 29-2002, f. 12-23-02, cert. ef. 1-1-03; DOA 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 3-10-06

Domestic Kitchens

603-025-0200

Establishments Utilizing Domestic Kitchen Facilities

(1) In addition to the provisions of OAR 603-025-0020 a food establishment in an area which is part of a domestic kitchen shall comply with the provisions of section (2) of this rule.

(2)(a) All domestic kitchen doors or openings to other rooms of the building or structure shall be kept closed during the processing, preparing, packaging, or handling of commercial foods;

(b) No person other than the food establishment licensee, or one under the direct supervision of such licensee, shall directly engage in the processing, preparing, packaging, or handling of commercial foods and no other person shall be allowed in the domestic kitchen during such periods of operation;

(c) No infants or small children shall be allowed in the domestic kitchen during the processing, preparing, packaging, or handling of commercial foods;

(d) No pets shall be allowed in the structure or building in which the domestic kitchen is located;

(e) No processing, preparing, packaging, or handling of commercial foods shall be carried on in a domestic kitchen while other domestic activities are being carried on in such domestic kitchen, including, but not limited to, family meal preparation, serving, eating, dishwashing, clothes washing and ironing, cleaning of floors, walls, cabinets and appliances, or entertaining guests;

(f) Each domestic kitchen shall include and be provided with the following:

(A) A separate closed storage space for ingredients, finished product containers, and labels for commercial foods;

(B) Separate refrigerated facilities for storage of perishable products or ingredients utilized in the processing, preparing, or handling of commercial foods;

(C) A separate storage area for household cleaning materials and other chemicals or toxic substances.

(g) Medical supplies or equipment shall not be stored or allowed in the domestic kitchen;

(h) All domestic kitchens shall be available for inspection by the department between the week-day hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the department shall, if it deems it advisable or necessary, inspect such premises on Saturdays or holidays or other times commercial foods are being processed, prepared, packaged, or handled.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 561.190 & ORS 616.700
Stats. Implemented: ORS 616.700
Hist.: AD 978(11-72), f. 8-28-72, ef. 9-15-72; Renumbered from 603-023-0396; AD 2-1987, f. & ef. 1-30-87


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