Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 40 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE › Chapter 40-7 - FOOD DIVISION REGULATIONS › Subject 40-7-4 - ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO CRAB MEAT PLANTS › Rule 40-7-4-.05 - Ice

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) Ice boxes must
				drain properly and have a non-porous corrosion resistant lining that does not
				leak.
(2) The refrigeration rooms
				or ice box shall be large enough and so constructed that a full day's
				production, with ice, can be conveniently stored and equipped with an accurate
				thermometer located in the room or box.
(3) Ice shall preferably be manufactured in
				the plant, otherwise it shall be obtained from an approved source. Packers
				purchasing crushed ice shall secure it from dealers who handle, crush and
				deliver it in a sanitary manner.
(4) Ice bins shall have smooth, impervious
				ice contact surfaces and shall be so constructed and located that the bottom is
				above the level of the adjacent floor and drains away from the unused
				ice.
(5) Block ice shall be
				properly stored to avoid contact with contaminated surfaces and shall be
				thoroughly washed on an elevated metal stand or grating with a hose provided
				for this purpose before it is placed in the crushing machine. A corrosion
				resistant container shall be provided to catch the crushed ice falling from the
				crusher (where the crusher is located in a protected portion of the
				refrigeration room, this container is not required.)
(6) All facilities, equipment, and utensils
				employed in handling and/or preparing ice for use shall be used for no other
				purpose and shall be cleaned each day the plant is in operation. Shovels shall
				be hung or stored in a protected manner when not in use.
(7) Where it is necessary to have ice in the
				packing room a metallined container or compartment of sanitary construction
				shall be provided for the sole purpose of storing such ice manufactured in the
				plant, purchased crushed ice, or block ice that has been crushed in the plant;
				except that clean wooden barrels for shipping crab meat may be used for this
				purpose.
(8) All cooked crab shall
				be stored at a temperature between 33 degrees F(0.5 degrees C) and 40 degrees
				F(4.4 degrees C) ambient air temperature, if not, immediately processed and all
				picked crabmeat shall be maintained at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees
				F(4.4 degrees C).
(9) Frozen crab
				meat shall be maintained or stored at an air temperature of zero degrees F. or
				less, and shall not exceed a product temperature of 10 degrees F. increase
				during transit.
(10) Crab meat for
				freezing shall be frozen within 24 hours of the time it is picked.
(11) Where air cooling units, condensers or
				other cooling equipment is attached to the ceiling or wall in ice boxes or
				refrigeration rooms, the drain lines and drain pans from such equipment shall
				be plumbed to discharge in a floor drain, preferably outside of the cooler, and
				shall be maintained in such a manner as to prevent condensation water from
				leaking or dripping onto ice, cooked crab or crabmeat product being stored in
				the refrigerated room.
Ga. L. 1956, p. 195 as
				  amended; O.C.G.A. Sec.
				  26-2-1
et
				  seq.