California Code of Regulations › Title 3 - Food and Agriculture › Division 3 - Economics › Chapter 1 - Fruit and Vegetable Standardization › Subchapter 3 - Eggs › Section 1358.5 - Eggs, Procedures to Ascertain Ambient Air Temperature

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
Air flow temperature of egg transport vehicles and ambient
					 room temperatures of storage rooms, retail outlets, and display units located
					 in packing plants or distribution facilities shall be ascertained at least
					 quarterly in accordance with this section.
(a) Ambient or air flow temperature shall be
				  determined by use of a thermometer having a temperature gradation one-half
				  Celsius (one degree Fahrenheit) and have an accuracy of plus or minus one
				  degree Celsius (two degrees Fahrenheit).
(b) Prior to taking an initial temperature
				  reading, the thermometer shall be brought to equilibrium within the location
				  being inspected.
(c) When a
				  location is determined to be in violation, each temperature reading taken and
				  the location within the enclosure where the temperature is taken shall be
				  recorded. The cooler or vehicle shall be clearly identified.
(d) If a transport vehicle is equipped with a
				  thermometer that has been verified for accuracy, an enforcing officer may use
				  the thermometer to determine compliance with temperature requirements. If a
				  transport vehicle is not equipped with a thermometer, an enforcing officer
				  shall utilize an accurate thermometer and two temperature readings shall be
				  taken. When a unit is accessible, the readings shall be taken in the air flow
				  discharge at the refrigeration unit, one reading on the right side of the unit
				  and one reading on the left side of the unit. The vehicle shall be accepted or
				  rejected on the basis of the mean average of such readings. If the
				  refrigeration unit is not accessible, the readings shall be taken in the air
				  flow as near as possible to the refrigeration unit in a manner consistent with
				  the foregoing instructions. If the mean average air flow temperature is more
				  than 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit), the handler may unload the
				  vehicle to make the refrigeration unit accessible for two additional
				  temperature readings which shall be mean averaged to determine the basis for
				  accepting or rejecting the vehicle.
(e) Mean Average.
The "mean average" is calculated by dividing the number of
					 samples into the sum of all temperatures taken.
(f) If a cooler is equipped with a
				  thermometer that has been verified for accuracy, an enforcing officer may use
				  the thermometer to determine compliance with temperature requirements. If a
				  cooler is not equipped with a thermometer an enforcing officer shall utilize an
				  accurate thermometer, and five temperature readings shall be taken in the
				  storage room(s) or display unit(s). The readings shall be taken approximately 4
				  to 5 feet from the floor, and as far from warm eggs as feasible. The readings
				  shall be taken away from doorways and the refrigeration unit's air flow at
				  separate locations. The readings shall be mean averaged to determine
				  compliance.
(g) Compliance Time
				  Period.
(1) Storage Rooms and Display Units.
Locations in which eggs are placed or stored and which are
					 found to have a mean average ambient air temperature above 7 degrees Celsius
					 (45 degrees Fahrenheit) shall be brought into compliance within 24 hours from
					 the time of rejection. If compliance cannot be accomplished within such time,
					 the eggs shall be removed and placed in a transport vehicle or storage facility
					 which complies with temperature requirements of 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees
					 Fahrenheit) or below.
(2)
				  Transport Vehicles.
A transport vehicle in which eggs are placed for shipment
					 or storage and which is found to have the refrigeration unit discharging a mean
					 average air flow temperature above 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit),
					 the unit shall be brought into compliance within four hours from the time of
					 rejection. If compliance cannot be accomplished within such time, the transport
					 vehicle shall not be used, and the eggs shall be removed and placed in a
					 transport vehicle or storage facility which is in compliance.
(3) If a transport vehicle, store room, or
				  display unit is found to be in noncompliance and is to be used for transporting
				  or storing eggs, the responsible party shall repair the refrigeration unit and
				  submit a copy of the repair tag to the enforcing officer. The repair tag shall
				  include:
i. The name, address and telephone
				  number of the person or company that made the repairs.
ii. The date and time of repair.
iii. The refrigeration unit's delivery
				  temperature taken by the repair person, following the unit's repair.
Unless otherwise instructed by the enforcing officer, the
					 responsible party may place the store room, display unit, or transport vehicle
					 back in use upon repair and submission of the repair tag. The tag may be
					 submitted by facsimile. Upon receipt of the repair tag, the enforcing officer
					 may approve the continued use verbally, in writing or by facsimile. If approval
					 is made verbally, the enforcing officer shall record the time, date and name of
					 the person to whom approval was given.