La. Admin. Code tit. 51 § VII-931

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section VII-931 - Reclaim or Rework Operations

A. Reclaim or rework operations are all activities associated with the recovery, handling and storage of processed or partially processed products for use as an ingredient in products to be used for human consumption.

B. Product that has left the direct control of the plant or has been temperature-abused, tampered with or exposed to chemical or biological contamination shall not be reclaimed or reworked for use as an ingredient in other products for human consumption.

C. Reclaimed or reworked products and reclaim or rework operations shall conform with the following requirements.

1. Reclaim areas and equipment shall be constructed, maintained and protected in a manner that is in substantial compliance with the requirements for the production and processing equipment areas contained in this Part.

2. Product that has left the direct control of the plant in which it was packaged shall not be reclaimed or reworked.

3. All product to be reclaimed shall be maintained at 7 ° C (45 ° F) or below. Product salvaged from defoamers and tank or line rinsing shall be immediately cooled to 7 ° C (45 ° F) or below.

4. Packages of product to be reclaimed or reworked shall be clean and free of contamination. Product from open, leaking or badly damaged containers shall not be reclaimed or reworked.

5. Packaged product shall be opened in such a manner as to minimize the potential for contamination. Containers shall not be opened by slashing, smashing or breaking.

6. Woven wire strainers shall not be used in reclaim or rework operations.

7. Reclaim or rework dump stations and tanks shall be covered except when product is actually being dumped through the openings.

8. Reclaim or rework storage tanks shall be equipped with approved thermometers.

9. Cleaning and sanitization requirements shall be the same as those for raw dairy ingredient handling equipment.

10. Reclaimed or reworked product shall be handled as a raw dairy ingredient.

11. Reclaimed or reworked products when used as an ingredient shall be added to the final product prior to pasteurization.

12. It is recommended that higher than minimum temperatures and times be used in the pasteurization of product containing reclaimed or reworked ingredients.

13. The milk plant shall take appropriate steps to preclude the contamination of products or equipment with allergenic or sensitive producing ingredients, reclaimed or reworked ingredients or substances that will not be appropriately declared in the labeling of the final container of product.

La. Admin. Code tit. 51, § VII-931

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health, LR 37:2676 (September 2011).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 40:4(A)(1)(a). Also see R.S. 40:5(2)(3)(5)(7)(15)(17) and R.S. 40:922.