Okla. Admin. Code § 310:257-5-60

Current through Vol. 42, No. 7, December 16, 2024

Section 310:257-5-60 - Ready-to-eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, date marking

(a) Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in OAC 310:257-5-64, and except as specified in (e) and (g) of this Section, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than twenty-four (24) hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded when held at a temperature of 5°C (41°F) or less for a maximum of seven (7) days. The day of preparation shall be counted as day one (1).

(b) Except as specified in(e) through (g) of this Section, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a food establishment and if the food is held for more than twenty-four (24) hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, based on the temperature and time combinations specified in (a) of this Section and:

(1) The day the original container is opened in the food establishment shall be counted as day one (1); and

(2) The day or date marked by the food establishment may not exceed a manufacturer's use-by date if the manufacturer determined the use-by date based on food safety.

(c) A refrigerated, ready-to-eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food ingredient or a portion of a refrigerated, ready to eat, Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food that is subsequently combined with additional ingredients or portions of food shall retain the date marking of the earliest-prepared or first-prepared ingredient.

(d) A date marking system that meets the criteria stated in (a) and (b) of this Section may include:

(1) Using a method approved by the Department for refrigerated, ready-to-eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine;

(2) Marking the date or day of preparation, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded as specified in (a) of this Section;

(3) Marking the date or day the original container is opened in a food establishment, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded as specified in (b) of this Section; or

(4) Using calendar dates, days of the week, color-coded marks, or other effective marking methods, provided that the marking system is disclosed to the regulatory authority upon request.

(e) Subsections (a) and (b) of this Section do not apply to individual meal portions served or repackaged for sale from a bulk container upon a consumer's request.

(f) Subsection (b) of this Section does not apply to the following foods prepared and packaged by a food processing plant inspected by a state or federal agency having jurisdiction over the facility:

(1) Deli salads, such as ham salad, seafood salad, chicken salad, egg salad, pasta salad, potato salad, and macaroni salad, manufactured in accordance with OAC 310:260, or 21 CFR Part 110 ;

(2) Hard cheeses containing not more than 39% Moisture as defined in 21 CFR, Part 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan and reggiano, and romano;

(3) Semi-soft cheeses containing more than 39% moisture, but not more than 50% moisture, as defined in 21 CFR, Part 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as blue, edam, gorgonzola, gouda, and Monterey jack;

(4) Cultured dairy products as defined in 21 CFR, Part 131 Milk and cream, such as yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk;

(5) Preserved fish products, such as pickled herring and dried or salted cod, and other acidified fish products defined in 21 CFR, Part 114 Acidified foods;

(6) Shelf stable, dry, fermented sausages, such as pepperoni and Genoa salami; and

(7) Shelf stable salt-cured products such as prosciutto and Parma (ham).

(g) Paragraph (a) and (b) of this Section shall not apply to Shellstock.

Okla. Admin. Code § 310:257-5-60

Added at 23 Ok Reg 2358, eff 6-25-06; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1477, eff 6-11-09; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 2289, eff 11-1-11

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 33, Issue 24, September 1, 2016, eff. 9/11/2016

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 38, Issue 24, September 1, 2021, eff. 9/11/2021