N.J. Admin. Code § 8:24-4.12

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 8:24-4.12 - Vending machines

(a) Potentially hazardous food dispensed through a vending machine shall be in the package in which it was placed at the retail food establishment or food processing plant at which it was prepared.

(b) Condiments at a vending machine location shall be in individual packages or provided in dispensers that are filled at an approved location, such as the retail food establishment that provides food to the vending machine location, a food processing plant that is regulated by the agency that has jurisdiction over the operation, or a properly equipped facility that is located on the site of the vending machine location.

(c) The dispensing compartment of a vending machine including a machine that is designed to vend prepackaged snack food that is not potentially hazardous such as chips, party mixes, and pretzels shall be equipped with a self-closing door or cover if the machine is:

1. Located in an outside area that does not otherwise afford the protection of an enclosure against the rain, windblown debris, insects, rodents, and other contaminants that are present in the environment; or

2. Available for self-service during hours when it is not under the full-time supervision of a food employee.

(d) Cutting or piercing parts of can openers on vending machines shall be protected from manual contact, dust, insects, rodents, and other contamination.

(e) A machine vending potentially hazardous food shall have an automatic control that prevents the machine from vending food under the following circumstances:

1. If there is a power failure, mechanical failure, or other condition that results in an internal machine temperature that cannot maintain food temperatures as specified under N.J.A.C. 8:24-3, until the machine is serviced and restocked with food that has been maintained at temperatures specified under N.J.A.C. 8:24-3.

(f) When the automatic shutoff within a machine vending potentially hazardous food is activated:

1. In a refrigerated vending machine, the ambient temperature may not exceed refrigeration temperatures for more than 30 minutes immediately after the machine is filled, serviced, or restocked; or

2. In a hot holding vending machine, the ambient temperature may not be less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours immediately after the machine is filled, serviced, or restocked.

(g) Vending machines designed to store beverages that are packaged in containers made from paper products shall be equipped with diversion devices and retention pans or drains for container leakage.

(h) Vending machine doors and access opening covers to food and container storage spaces shall be tight-fitting so that the space along the entire interface between the doors or covers and the cabinet of the machine, if the doors or covers are in a closed position, is no greater than one-sixteenth inch.

(i) The requirement in (h) above shall be accomplished by ensuring that vending machine doors and access opening covers to food and container storage spaces:

1. Are covered with louvers, screens, or materials that provide an equivalent opening of not greater than one-sixteenth inch. Screening of 12 or more mesh to one inch meets this requirement;

2. Are effectively gasketed;

3. Have interface surfaces that are at least one-half inch wide; or

4. Have jambs or surfaces used to form an L-shaped entry path to the interface.

(j) Vending machine service connection openings through an exterior wall of a machine shall be closed by sealants, clamps, or grommets so that the openings are no larger than one-sixteenth inch.

(k) A refuse receptacle shall not be located within a vending machine, except that a receptacle for beverage bottle crown closures may be located within a vending machine.

(l) If located outside, a machine used to vend food shall be provided with overhead protection except that machines vending canned beverages need not meet this requirement.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:24-4.12