6 CCR 1010-2
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT Consumer Protection Division COLORADO RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS 6 CCR 1010-2 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] _________________________________________________________________________ CHAPTER 1 PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS 1-101 Purpose The following rules and regulations shall be applied for the protection of public health. The purpose of this Regulation is to safeguard public health and provide to consumers food that is safe and unadulterated. This Regulation establishes definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food operations and equipment and facilities; and provides for food establishment plan review, license issuance, inspections, employee restriction and enforcement. This Regulation is intended to be the standard for the Department and its authorized agents and employees, to be applied uniformly by all parties.
1-202 Definitions A. The following terms are defined for the purposes of the rules and regulations.
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4.6 or less > 4.6 - 5.6 > 5.6
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A. Complying with these rules and regulations by having no violations of critical items during the current inspection; or B. Being a certified food protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an accredited program; or C. Responding correctly to the inspector’s questions as they relate to the specific food operation. The areas of knowledge include:
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A. Employees are effectively cleaning their hands, by routinely monitoring the employees’ handwashing;
B. Employees are visibly observing foods as they are received to determine that they are from approved sources, delivered at the required temperatures, protected from contamination, unadulterated, and accurately presented, by routinely monitoring the employees’ observations and periodically evaluating foods upon their receipt;
C. Employees are properly cooking potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food), being particularly careful in cooking those foods known to cause severe foodborne illness and death, such as eggs and comminuted meats, through daily oversight of the employees’ routine monitoring of the cooking temperatures using appropriate temperature measuring devices properly scaled and calibrated as specified in section 4-401 of these rules and regulations;
D. Employees are using proper methods to rapidly cool potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) that are not held hot or are not for consumption within 4 hours, through daily oversight of the employees’ routine monitoring of food temperatures during cooling;
E. Employees are properly sanitizing cleaned multiuse equipment and utensils before they are reused, through routine monitoring of solution temperature and exposure time for hot water sanitizing, and chemical concentration, pH, temperature, and exposure time for chemical sanitizing;
F. Consumers are notified that clean tableware is to be used when they return to self-service areas such as salad bars and buffets as specified in section 3-411(A);
G. Employees prevent bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food by properly using suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment;
H. Employees are properly trained in food safety as it relates to their assigned duties;
I. Food employees and conditional employees are informed of their responsibilities to report their illnesses and infections transmissible through food to the person in charge, so that the person in charge may exclude or restrict any employees who are ill, have a boil or wound, and when to notify the department of illnesses;
J. Employees and other persons such as delivery and maintenance persons and pesticide applicators entering the food preparation food storage, and warewashing areas comply with this code; and K. Consumers who order raw or partially cooked ready-to-eat foods of animal origin are informed as specified in section 3-801 of these rules and regulations that the food is not cooked sufficiently to ensure its safety.
2-2 EMPLOYEE HEALTH *2-201 Responsibility of Licensee, Person in Charge, and Employees Code of Colorado Regulations 19 A. The licensee shall require food employees and conditional employees to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities as they relate to diseases that are transmissible through food. A food employee or conditional employee shall report pertinent information in a manner that allows the person in charge to reduce the risk of foodborne disease transmission, if the food employee or conditional employee:
B. The person in charge shall notify the Department when a food employee is:
Code of Colorado Regulations 20 C. The person in charge shall ensure that a conditional employee who exhibits or reports a symptom, or who reports a diagnosed illness as specified in Subparagraphs (A)(1)-(3) of this section, is prohibited from becoming a food employee until the conditional employee meets the criteria for the specific symptoms or diagnosed illness as specified section 2-203.
D. The person in charge shall ensure that a food employee who exhibits or reports a symptom, or who reports a diagnosed illness as specified in subparagraphs (A)(1)-(3) of this section is:
E. A food employee or conditional employee shall report to the person in charge the information as specified in (A) of this section.
F. A food employee shall:
A. Except when the symptom is from a noninfectious condition, exclude a food employee if the food employee is:
B. Exclude a food employee who is:
C. Exclude a food employee who is diagnosed with an infection from Salmonella Typhi, or reports a previous infection with Salmonella Typhi within the past three (3) months as specified under Subparagraph 2-201(A)(3).
D. If a food employee is diagnosed with an infection from Shigella spp. and is asymptomatic: Code of Colorado Regulations 21
E. If a food employee is diagnosed with an infection from Enterohemorrhagic or Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and is asymptomatic:
F. If a food employee is diagnosed with another bacterial enteric pathogen and is asymptomatic consult with the Department to determine the need for exclusion or restriction.
G. If a food employee is ill with symptoms of acute onset of sore throat with fever:
H. If a food employee is infected with a skin lesion containing pus such as a boil or infected wound that is open or draining and not properly covered as specified in section 2-201(A)(1)(e), restrict the food employee.
*2-203 Removal, Adjustment, or Retention of Exclusions and Restrictions The person in charge shall adhere to the following conditions when removing, adjusting, or retaining the exclusion or restriction of a food employee:
A. Reinstate a food employee who was excluded as specified in section 2-202(A)(1) if the employee:
B. Reinstate a food employee who was excluded as specified under Subparagraphs 2-202(B) if the employee has met parameters listed in the Colorado Communicable Disease Manual and the person in charge obtains approval from the Department.
C. Reinstate a food employee who was excluded as specified in 2-202(C). If the employee has met parameters listed in the Colorado Communicable Disease Manual and the person in charge obtains approval from the Department.
D. Reinstate a food employee who was restricted as specified in 2-202(H) if the skin, infected wound, cut, or pustular boil is properly covered with one of the following:
E. Reinstate a food employee who was excluded as specified under subparagraphs 2-202(D)(1) or who was restricted under Subparagraph 2-202(D)(2). The food employee should not be reinstated until the employee has been asymptomatic for at least 48 hours and the person in charge obtains approval from the Department.
F. Reinstate a food employee who was excluded or restricted as specified in Subparagraphs 2-202(H)(1) or (2) if the food employee provides to the person in charge written medical documentation from a health practitioner stating that the food employee meets one of the following conditions:
2-204 Discharges from the Eyes, Nose and Mouth Food employees experiencing persistent sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose that causes discharges from the eyes, nose or mouth may not work with exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, or unwrapped single-service or single-use articles.
2-3 AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL Only persons necessary to the operation and maintenance of the retail food establishment shall be allowed in food preparation, food storage, food equipment storage, and warewashing areas. 2-4 PERSONAL CLEANLINESS *2-401 Food employees shall keep their hands and exposed portions of their arms clean. Code of Colorado Regulations 23 *2-402 Cleaning Procedure A. Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms including surrogate prosthetic devices for hands or arms with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and shall use the following cleaning procedure:
B. Food employees shall pay particular attention to removing soil underneath the fingernails during the cleaning procedure.
C. If approved and capable of removing the types of soils encountered in the food operations involved, an automatic handwashing facility installed and operated as per section 5-208(I) may be used by food employees to clean their hands.
*2-403 When to Wash Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms immediately before engaging in food preparation including working with exposed food, clean equipment and utensils, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles and:
A. Before leaving the restroom, and after returning to food and beverage preparation, food storage, equipment storage and warewashing areas from using the restroom;
B. After coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating, or drinking;
C. When switching between working with raw foods of animal origin and working with ready-to-eat foods;
D. After touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms;
E. During food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks;
F. Before handling or putting on single-use gloves for working with food, and between removing soiled gloves and putting on clean gloves;
G. After handling soiled equipment or utensils;
H. After caring for or handling any animals;
I. After engaging in any activities that contaminate the hands; and J. After handling fish in aquariums, shellfish, or crustacea in display tanks. *2-404 Hand Antiseptics Hand antiseptics may be used in addition to but not in place of proper handwashing. Code of Colorado Regulations 24 *2-405 Where to Wash Food employees shall clean their hands in a handsink or approved automatic handwashing facility and may not clean their hands in a sink used for food preparation or warewashing, in a dump sink, or in a utility sink or a curbed cleaning facility used for the disposal of mop water and similar liquid waste. *2-406 Fingernail Care A. Food employees shall keep their fingernails clean, trimmed, filed and maintained so the edges and surfaces are cleanable and not rough.
B. Unless wearing intact gloves in good repair, a food employee may not wear fingernail polish or artificial fingernails when working with exposed food.
2-407 Clothing Employees shall wear clean outer clothing to prevent cross-contamination. 2-408 Jewelry Except for a plain ring such as a wedding band, while preparing food, food employees may not wear jewelry, watches, or medical information bracelets on their wrists and hands or any other area of the arm that may interfere with proper handwashing or result in contamination of food. 2-5 HYGIENIC PRACTICES *2-501 General Employees shall maintain a high degree of personal cleanliness and shall conform to good hygienic practices during all working periods. Proper hygienic practices must be followed by retail food employees in performing assigned duties to ensure the safety of the food, prevent the introduction of foreign objects into the food, and minimize the possibility of transmitting disease through food. *2-502 Eating, Drinking, or Using Tobacco A. Except as specified in paragraph B, employees shall consume food, drink or use tobacco only in designated areas. Such designated areas must be located so that eating or tobacco use by an employee does not result in contamination of food, equipment, utensils, or other items needing protection.
B. An employee may drink from a closed beverage container such as pop top sport bottles when teeth or mouth are used to open the top, cups with a lid and a straw, and cups with snap-on lids with a hole in the top if:
2-503 Hair Restraints A. Except as provided under paragraph B of this section, food employees engaged in food preparation shall wear hair restraints, such as hats, hair coverings, hair or beard nets, or other effective Code of Colorado Regulations 25 means, to effectively keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, and unwrapped single-service or single-use articles.
B. This section does not apply to employees such as counter staff who serve only beverages and wrapped or packaged foods, or hosts, bartenders, and wait staff who present a minimal risk of contaminating exposed foods, clean equipment, utensils, and linens, and unwrapped single- service and single-use articles.
CHAPTER 3 FOOD 3-1 CHARACTERISTICS *3-101 General Food shall be safe and unadulterated. Food shall be in sound condition, free from spoilage or contamination and shall be safe for human consumption. Food shall not contain unsafe or unapproved food or color additives per 21 CFR 170-186. Food shall be obtained from approved sources that comply with the applicable laws relating to food and food labeling. Food prepared or stored in a private home shall not be used, distributed, or offered for sale.
3-2 SOURCES AND SPECIFICATIONS 3-201 Shellfish and Fish *A. Molluscan Shellfish Molluscan Shellfish shall be obtained from sources according to law and the requirements specified in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish.
B. Maintaining Shellstock Identification *1. Fresh and frozen shucked molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels or scallops) shall be received and/or repacked in non-returnable packages identified with the name and address of the original shellstock processor, shucker-packer, or repacker, and the state shellstock certification number issued according to law. Shucked molluscan shellfish shall be kept in the container in which they were received until used or sold. Each original container of unshucked molluscan shellfish shall be identified by an attached tag, to be retained for a period of 90 days after the container is emptied. The tag shall be marked with the empty date and, the name and address of the original shellfish processor, the kind and quantity of shellfish, and the certification number issued by the State or foreign shellfish control agency, where applicable. Tags shall be stored in chronological order from the empty date.
*C. Molluscan shellfish that are recreationally caught may not be received for sale or service. *D. Fish that are received for sale or service shall be: Code of Colorado Regulations 26
*E. Raw shucked shellfish shall be obtained in nonreturnable packages which bear a legible label that identifies the:
F. Molluscan Shellfish, Original Container.
G. For display purposes, shellstock may be removed from the container in which they are received, displayed on drained ice, or held in a display container, and a quantity specified by a consumer may be removed from the display or display container and provided to the consumer if:
H. Shucked shellfish may be removed from the container in which they were received and held in a display container from which individual servings are dispensed upon a consumer's request if:
3-202 Parasite Destruction *A. Except as specified in (B) of this section, before service or sale in ready-to-eat form, raw, raw- marinated, partially cooked, or marinated-partially cooked fish shall be:
The freezing temperature and time to which the fish are subjected shall be recorded, retained and made readily available upon request at the food establishment for 90 calendar days after the time of service or sale of the fish.
Code of Colorado Regulations 27 If the fish are frozen by the retail food establishment and/or supplier, a written agreement or statement from the supplier stipulating that the fish supplied are frozen to the proper temperature and for a time specified in this section may substitute for the records required.
B. Paragraph (A) of this section does not apply to:
*3-302 Hermetically Sealed Food A. The use, distribution, or sale of food from hermetically sealed containers that was not prepared in an approved food processing establishment or retail food establishment that is approved for this type of processing, is prohibited.
B. Hermetically sealed packages shall be handled so as to maintain product and container integrity. The "Guide to Can Defects and Basic Components of Double Seam Containers", November 2011, published by the Association of Food and Drug Officials, shall be used to determine container integrity. Food items that are spoiled or that are in damaged containers that may affect the product and those food items that have been returned to, or are being detained by, the retail food establishment because of spoilage, container damage, or other public health considerations shall be segregated and held in designated areas pending proper disposition unless disposed of under the supervision of the Department.
*3-303 Dry Milk and Dry Milk Products Code of Colorado Regulations 28 Dry milk and milk products used, served or offered for sale shall be made from pasteurized milk and milk products.
*3-304 Reconstitution of Dry Milk, Dry Milk Products and Non-Dairy Products Dry milk, dry milk products and non-dairy creaming, whitening, or whipping agents may be reconstituted with potable water on the premises only when they will be stored in sanitized, covered containers and cooled to 41°F (7°C) or below within four hours after preparation. Reconstituted dry milk cannot be substituted for use as a Grade A fluid milk product in its final form (e.g. for drinking, over cereal, etc.).
*3-305 Fluid Milk, Fluid Milk Products, and Frozen Dessert Mix A. Fluid milk and fluid milk products used, served or offered for sale shall comply with the Colorado Grade A Pasteurized Fluid Milk and Milk Products Regulation.
B. Only pasteurized mix from an approved licensed dairy plant may be mixed and/or frozen by a counter freezer.
C. Raw milk supplied to and held by retail food establishments for distribution to shareholders shall meet the requirements of section 25-5.5-117 et. seq., C.R.S.
*3-306 Wild Mushrooms A. Except as specified in paragraph B of this section, mushroom species picked in the wild shall be obtained from sources where each mushroom is individually inspected and found to be safe by a mushroom identification expert approved by the Department. To be approved by the department an individual must:
B. This section does not apply to:
A. Meat and poultry are required to come from a USDA FSIS inspected facility.
B. Game animals indigenous to North America such as reindeer, elk, deer, antelope, water buffalo, bison, rabbit, squirrel, opossum, raccoon, nutria, or muskrat, and any others as determined by the USDA shall go through the USDA Voluntary Meat Inspection Program in order to be considered an approved source.
C. Poultry products that are game animals are required to be inspected under the USDA Voluntary Poultry Inspection Program. Species include Quail, pheasant, dove, other game birds and any others as determined by the USDA.
Code of Colorado Regulations 30 D. Any other game animal that is obtained from a retail food establishment would fall under FDA inspection authority. This would include rattlesnake, bear, alligator, and any others as determined by the USDA.
E. Game animals obtained from States that have contracts with the FDA or USDA to conduct inspections of game animal food processing establishments are recognized by the Department as being an approved regulatory authority and food products received from these states are considered an approved source.
For additional guidance, refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued interpretative memo titled "Determining Approved Source for Meat, Poultry, Game Animals, and Exotic Animal Species."
*3-308 Eggs A. Only clean intact, approved shell eggs meeting applicable grade standards or pasteurized shell, liquid, frozen or dry eggs, or pasteurized dry egg products shall be used or offered for sale.
B. The egg carton must be new, clean and properly labeled to include the supplier’s name and address, egg grade, size and pack date. FDA Safe Handling Instructions on the carton are required.
C. Eggs can be offered for sale loose or in a basket, but must have an accompanying card or sign that contains the required labeling information including the wash and process date versus a pack date as indicated on a carton.
D. Pooling of raw shell eggs is allowed only if the eggs are 41°F (5°C) or below when they are cracked and maintained at 41°F (5°C) or below until cooked.
3-309 Ice * A. Only ice which has been manufactured from drinking water and handled in a sanitary manner shall be used or offered for sale. Ice offered for sale shall be packaged and properly labeled.
B. Ice for human consumption shall be drained.
*3-310 Ice Used as Exterior Coolant, Prohibited as Ingredient Ice used as a cooling medium for food storage, beverage containers, food containers or food utensils shall not be used or sold for human consumption.
3-311 Storage or Display of Food in Contact With Water or Ice A. Packaged food may be stored in direct contact with drinking water if the packaging, wrapping, or container is not subject to entry of water.
B. Except as specified in C and D of this section, unpackaged food may not be stored in direct contact with undrained ice.
C. Whole raw fruits and whole or cut raw vegetables, such as celery or carrot sticks or cut potatoes; and tofu may be immersed in ice made with drinking water.
D. Raw chicken and raw fish that are received immersed in ice made with drinking water in shipping containers may remain in that condition while in storage awaiting preparation, display, service, or sale.
Code of Colorado Regulations 31 *3-312 Juice A. Pre-packaged juice shall be obtained pasteurized; in a sterile shelf-stable form in a hermetically sealed container; or otherwise treated under an approved HACCP plan as specified in 21 CFR section 120.24, (2003) to attain a 5-log reduction of the most resistant microorganism of public health significance.
B. Juice packaged in a retail establishment and sold exclusively and directly to its consumers does not have to be processed in conformance with an approved HACCP plan, but if packaged shall bear the phrase: "WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems" and meet the requirements of the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
*3-313 Whole-Muscle, Intact Beef Steaks Whole-muscle, intact beef steaks that are intended for consumption in an undercooked form without a consumer advisory as specified in section 3-801 shall be:
A. Obtained from a food processing plant that, upon requested by the purchaser, packages the steaks and labels them, to indicate that the steaks meet the definition of whole-muscle, intact beef, or B. Deemed acceptable by the Department based on other evidence, such as written buyer specifications or invoices, that indicates that the steaks meet the definition of whole-muscle, intact beef; and C. If individually cut in a food establishment:
3-4 PROTECTION FROM CONTAMINATION AFTER RECEIVING *3-401 Preventing Contamination from Hands A. Food employees shall wash their hands as specified in section 2-402 of these rules and regulations.
B. Food employees shall minimize bare hand and arm contact with exposed food that is not in a ready- to-eat form.
C. Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified in section 3- 408(A) of these rules and regulations or except as specified in (D) of this section, food employees may not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food including fruits and vegetables with their bare hands and shall use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment.
D. Food employees not serving a highly susceptible population may contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands if:
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Code of Colorado Regulations 33 E. If a food establishment is found to be in non-compliance with the requirements listed in subparagraphs D (1) - (4) and a civil penalty has been issued in accordance with C.R.S., §25-4-1611, as a result of this non-compliance, or if a confirmed foodborne illness is associated with bare hand contact and ill employees, the Department may suspend or revoke the food establishment’s allowance for food employees to contact ready-to-eat foods with their bare hands.
F. If the allowance for a food establishment to contact ready-to-eat foods with bare hands is voluntarily discontinued by the food establishment, suspended or revoked as provided for in subparagraph E, a food establishment may not reinstate bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods without prior written approval from the Department.
3-402 Glove Use *A. If used, single-use gloves shall be used for only one task, such as working with ready-to-eat food, or with raw animal food. Single-use gloves shall be used for no other purpose, and discarded when damaged, when interruptions occur in the operation, or when the task is completed.
B. Except as specified in (C) slash-resistant gloves that are used to protect the hands during operations requiring cutting shall be used in direct contact only with food that is subsequently cooked as specified in part 3-5 such as frozen food or a primal cut of meat.
C. Slash-resistant gloves may be used with ready-to-eat food that will not be subsequently cooked if the slash-resistant gloves have a smooth, durable, and nonabsorbent outer surface; or if the slash- resistant gloves are covered with a smooth, durable, nonabsorbent glove, or a single-use glove.
D. Cloth gloves may not be used in direct contact with food unless the food is subsequently cooked as required under section 3-5 such as frozen food or a primal cut of meat. *3-403 Preventing Contamination When Tasting A food employee may not use a utensil more than once to taste food that is to be sold or served. *3-404 General At all times, including while being stored, prepared, displayed, dispensed, packaged, or transported, food shall be protected from cross-contamination between foods and from potential contamination by insects, insecticides, rodents, rodenticides, other toxins, probe-type price tags or probe-type identification tags, unclean equipment and utensils, unnecessary handling, flooding, draining, overhead leakage or condensation, or other agents of public health significance. Hanging primal cuts and quarters or sides of meat, and uncut raw fruits and vegetables do not need to be over wrapped or covered. Foods in original individual packages must be over wrapped or covered if the package has been torn or broken. During transportation, including transportation to another location for service or catering operations, food shall meet the requirements of these rules and regulations relating to food protection, food storage and temperature maintenance of potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods). *3-405 Cross-Contamination Control Each time there is a change in processing between raw beef, raw pork, other raw meats, raw poultry, raw fish and molluscan shellfish or from raw to ready-to-eat foods, food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be cleaned and sanitized as specified in 4-403 and 4-404. Salads and other ready-to-eat foods may also be prepared simultaneously in areas that are separated by a barrier or open space from areas used for processing potentially hazardous raw products.
3-406 Packaged and Unpackaged Food - Separation, Packaging, and Segregation Code of Colorado Regulations 34 A. Food shall be protected from cross contamination by separating raw animal foods during storage, preparation, holding, and display from:
B. Frozen, commercially processed and packaged raw animal food may be stored or displayed with or above frozen, commercially processed and packaged, ready-to-eat food. *3-407 Pasteurized Eggs, Substitute for Shell Eggs for Certain Recipes Pasteurized eggs or egg products shall be substituted for raw eggs in the preparation of foods such as Caesar salad, hollandaise or B#eacute#arnaise sauce, mayonnaise, meringue, eggnog, ice cream, and egg-fortified beverages that are not cooked as specified in section 3-502 (D). This section does not apply if there is a Consumer Advisory in place as specified in Section 3-801 excepts as prohibited by Section 3- 702(C).
3-408 Washing Fruits and Vegetables/Additives/Sulfites A. Except as specified in (B)-(D) of this section and except for whole, raw fruits and vegetables that are intended for washing by the consumer before consumption, raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed in running drinking water to remove soil and other contaminants before being cut, combined with other ingredients, cooked, served, or offered for human consumption in ready- to-eat form. Commercially, prewashed raw fruits and vegetables that are prepackaged to prevent contamination do not require further washing prior to use.
B. Fruits and vegetables from which rinds, peels, husks, or shells are not removed before preparation require washing.
C. Chemicals for washing fruits and vegetables, criteria. *1. Chemicals used to wash or peel raw, whole fruits and vegetables shall meet the requirements specified in 21 CFR 173.315, "Chemicals used in washing or to assist in the peeling of fruits and vegetables".
*D. Application of sulfiting agents to fresh fruits and vegetables intended for raw consumption or to a food considered to be a good source of vitamin B1; such as poultry, crab meat (except canned), mixed nuts, whole grains, whole grain flours, enriched bakery products is prohibited.
E. New or extensively remodeled establishments with food items that require washing shall have a food preparation sink. The food preparation sink must be supplied with both hot and cold running water, must be indirectly drained to sewer and must be equipped with an approved eighteen inch (18") [(46 centimeters (cm)] drain board or an alternate drain table or work space approved by the Department. If a garbage disposal is to be installed at the food preparation sink, it shall be located in the drain board of the sink and must be plumbed in accordance with section 5-205. Code of Colorado Regulations 35 F. In establishments licensed prior to the effective date of these regulations, where vegetable preparation is limited to a few items and in limited quantity, and either single-service tableware or a mechanical dishwasher is used, the three- compartment warewashing sink may be used for food preparation if the sink is indirectly drained and the sink and drain boards are cleaned and sanitized between changes in use.
G. A food preparation sink may only be used for washing food, cooling, thawing and other food preparation activities.
3-409 In-Use Utensils, Between Use Storage A. To avoid unnecessary manual contact with the food, suitable dispensing utensils and single-service articles shall be used by employees and consumers. Consumer display and self-service of bulk food shall meet the requirements of section 25-4-1301 et seq., C.R.S., (See Appendix H). Except as specified in 5 and 6, dispensing utensils shall be:
B. Ice for human consumption shall be dispensed only by employees with scoops, tongs, or other ice dispensing utensils, or through automatic self-service, ice dispensing equipment. Ice dispensing utensils shall be stored on a clean surface or in the ice with the dispensing utensil's handle extended out of the ice. Between uses, ice transfer receptacles shall be stored in a way that protects them from contamination.
3-410 Wiping Cloths A. Cloths used for wiping food spills on food-contact surfaces shall be cleaned and rinsed frequently in one of the sanitizing solutions permitted in Appendix F of these rules and regulations and used for no other purpose. These cloths shall be held between uses in a clean, chemical sanitizer solution at the proper concentration.
B. Cloths used for cleaning nonfood-contact surfaces shall be clean and rinsed as specified in paragraph A of this section and used for no other purpose. These cloths shall be held between uses in a clean, chemical sanitizer solution at the proper concentration.
C. Cloths that are used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept separate from cloths used for other purposes. Cloths used with raw foods of animal origin shall be kept in a separate sanitizing solution.
D. Dry, single-use disposable towels are permitted for wiping food spills in lieu of wiping cloths if discarded after each use.
E. Cloths used for wiping food spills on tableware, such as plates and bowls being served to the consumer, shall be clean, dry, and used for no other purpose. Code of Colorado Regulations 36 F. Sponges shall not be used in contact with food-contact surfaces.
G. Wet wiping cloths shall be laundered daily.
H. Dry wiping cloths shall be laundered as necessary to prevent contamination of food and clean serving utensils.
3-411 Re-Use of Tableware A. Except as specified in B, re-use of soiled tableware is prohibited.
B. Beverage cups and glasses may be refilled where filling equipment is designed to prevent cross- contamination provided that the actuating lever or mechanism and filling device of beverage dispensing equipment is designed to prevent contact with the lip-contact surface of glasses or cups that are being refilled.
3-412 Refilling Returnables A. A take-home or personal food container shall not be refilled at a retail food establishment with a potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food).
B. Returnables refilled with food that is not potentially hazardous shall be clean.
C. Personal take-out beverage containers, such as thermally insulated bottles, nonspill coffee cups, and promotional beverage glasses, may be refilled by employees or the consumer if refilling is a contamination-free process.
3-413 Food Storage A. Containers of food shall be stored a minimum of six inches (6") [15 centimeters (cm)] above the floor or stored on dollies, skids, racks, or open-ended pallets, provided such equipment is easily movable, either by hand or with the use of pallet-moving equipment that is on the premises and used. Such storage areas shall be kept clean.
B. Pressurized beverage containers, cased food in waterproof containers such as bottles or cans, milk containers in plastic crates, and waterproof, easily moveable, covered containers may be stored on a floor that is clean and not exposed to floor moisture.
C. Packaged food, once the container is opened in the retail food establishment prior to use or retail sale, shall be kept covered. Food, whether raw or prepared, if removed from the container in which it was originally packaged, shall be stored in a clean, covered container, except during necessary periods of preparation or cooling. Foods uncovered during preparation or cooling must be protected from contamination.
A. In locker areas unless the food is completely packaged;
B. In toilet rooms and their vestibules;
Code of Colorado Regulations 37 C. In dressing rooms;
D. In rooms designated for garbage, recycling or composting collection;
E. In mechanical rooms;
F. Under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips;
G. Under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads, or under lines on which water has condensed;
H. Under open stairwells;
I. Under other sources of contamination; or J. In a private home.
3-415 Food Display A. Except for nuts in the shell and whole, raw fruits and vegetables that are intended for hulling, peeling, or washing by the consumer before consumption, food on display shall be protected from contamination by the use of packaging; food shields at counters, service lines, or salad bars; display cases; or other effective means of protection.
B. French style, hearth baked or hard-crusted loaves and rolls may be considered properly wrapped if contained in an open-end bag of sufficient size to enclose the loaves or rolls.
C. Bulk food that is available for consumer self-dispensing shall meet the requirements of section 25-4- 1301 et seq., C.R.S., (See Appendix H).
3-416 Condiments, Protection A. Condiments shall be protected from contamination by being kept in protective dispensers, in food displays that meet the requirements of section 3-311 (A) and are provided with the proper utensils, in original containers that are designed for dispensing, or in individual packages or portions.
B. Adding additional product before the container is emptied, cleaned and sanitized is prohibited. *3-417 Consumer Self-Service Operations A. Unpackaged or unwrapped raw animal food, such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry and fish shall not be offered for consumer self-service. This does not apply to consumer self-service of ready-to-eat foods at buffets or salad bars that serve foods such as sushi or raw shellfish, or to ready-to-cook individual portions for immediate cooking and consumption on the premises such as consumer- cooked meats or consumer-selected ingredients for Mongolian barbecue.
B. Consumer self-service operations such as buffets and salad bars shall be monitored by food employees trained in safe operating procedures.
*3-418 Reservice Once served to a consumer, portions of leftover food shall not be served again except that packaged food, other than potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food), that is still in an unopened package and is still in sound condition, may be re-served. Code of Colorado Regulations 38 3-5 DESTRUCTION OF ORGANISMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN *3-501 Temperature A. The temperature of potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) shall be 41°F (5°C) or below or 135°F (57°C) or above, at all times, except during necessary periods of preparation or as otherwise provided in this code.
B. Equipment for cooling, heating and holding food, cold and hot, shall be sufficient in number and capacity to provide required food temperatures.
C. Fluid milk and milk products, molluscan shellstock, and shell eggs may be received at their respective temperatures according to laws governing their distribution.
D. A food that is labeled frozen and shipped frozen by a food processing plant shall be received and stored frozen.
E. Upon receipt, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be free of evidence of previous temperature abuse.
*3-502 Cooking Potentially Hazardous Foods (Time/Temperature Control For Safety Foods) Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) processed within the retail food establishment shall be cooked to a uniform internal temperature of 135°F (57°C), except that:
A. Poultry, stuffed ratite, stuffed fish, stuffed meat, stuffed pasta, stuffed poultry, or stuffing containing fish, meat or poultry shall be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) for 15 seconds.
B. Whole meat roasts including beef, corned beef, lamb, pork, and cured pork roasts such as ham shall be cooked:
OVEN TYPE OVEN TEMPERATURE OVEN TEMPERATURE BASED ON ROAST WEIGHT BASED ON ROAST WEIGHT LESS THAN 10 LBS (4.5 KG) 10 LBS(4.5 KG) OR MORE STILL DRY 350 °F (177 ° C) OR MORE 250 ° F (121 ° C) OR MORE CONVECTION 325 °F (163 ° C) OR MORE 250 ° F (121 ° C) OR MORE HIGH HUMIDITY 1 250 °F (121 ° C) OR LESS 250 ° F (121 ° C) OR LESS 1 RELATIVE HUMIDITY GREATER THAN 90% FOR AT LEAST 1 HOUR AS MEASURED IN THE COOKING CHAMBER OR EXIT OF THE OVEN; OR IN A MOISTURE-IMPERMEABLE BAG THAT PROVIDES 100% HUMIDITY. and
Code of Colorado Regulations 39 TEMPERATURE °F°C TIME 1 IN MINUTES TEMPERATURE °F°C TIME 1 IN SECONDS 130 ° F (54.4 ° C) 112 147 ° F (63.9 ° C) 134 131 ° F (55.0 ° C) 89 149 ° F (65.0 ° C) 85 133 ° F (56.1 ° C) 56 151 ° F (66.1 ° C) 54 135 (57.2 ° C) 36 153 ° F (67.2 ° C) 34 136 ° F (57.8 ° C) 28 155 ° F (68.3 ° C) 22 138 ° F (58.9 ° C) 18 157 ° F (69.4 ° C) 14 140 ° F (60.0 ° C) 12 158 ° F (70.0 ° C) 0 142 ° F (61.1 ° C) 8 144 ° F (62.2 ° C) 5 145 ° F (62.8 ° C) 4 1 HOLDING TIME MAY INCLUDE POST OVEN HEAT RISE.
C. A raw or undercooked whole-muscle, intact beef steak may be served or offered for sale in a ready-to- eat form if:
D. Eggs, pork, lamb, fish and other meats as defined in section 1-202 (35) shall be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds.
E. Eggs that are not prepared in response to a consumer’s order or for immediate service shall be cooked to 155°F (68°C).
F. Ground beef and ratites shall be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 155°F (68°C) for 15 seconds, or to 145°F (63°C) for 3 minutes, or 150°F (66°C) for 1 minute, or 158°F (70°C) for less than one second.
Code of Colorado Regulations 40 G. Game animals shall be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for 15 seconds except as specified in section 3-502 (K) of these rules and regulations.
H. Comminuted fish, meat and game animals and beef including mechanically tenderized or injected meats other than whole muscle intact beef steak, shall be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 155°F (68°C) for 15 seconds.
I. Raw animal foods cooked in a microwave oven shall be:
J. Fruits and vegetables that are cooked for hot holding shall be cooked to a temperature of 135°F (57°C).
K. Unless otherwise ordered by the immediate consumer and the consumer is informed as specified in sections 1(a)-(c) below:
*3-503 Non-Continuous Cooking of Raw Animal Foods A. Raw animal foods that are cooked using a non-continuous cooking process shall be:
Code of Colorado Regulations 41
*3-504 Reheating A. Except as specified in paragraphs (B) and (C) of this section, potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) that have been cooked and then refrigerated shall be rapidly reheated within two hours to a uniform internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or higher before being placed in hot food storage holding units which shall maintain product temperature at 135°F (57°C) or above at all times. Food warmers and other hot food holding units shall not be used to reheat potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) unless the equipment is specifically designed for that purpose.
B. Except as specified in paragraph (C) of this section, food reheated in a microwave oven shall be heated to a uniform internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) and the food is rotated or stirred, covered, and allowed to stand covered for 2 minutes after reheating.
C. Ready-to-eat food taken from a commercially processed, hermetically sealed container, or from an intact package from a food processing plant that is inspected by the food Department that has jurisdiction over the plant, shall be heated within two hours to a uniform internal temperature of at least 135°F (60°C) for hot holding.
*3-505 Preparation for Immediate Service Cooked and refrigerated food that is prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer order, such as a roast beef sandwich au jus, may be served at any temperature. 3-6 LIMITATION OF GROWTH OF ORGANISMS OF PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN 3-601 Thawing Except as specified in subparagraph (D) of this section, potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) shall be thawed:
*A. Under refrigeration that maintain the food temperature at 41°F (5°C) or less; or Code of Colorado Regulations 42 B. Completely submerged and with packaging removed under running water:
C. As part of a cooking process if the food that is frozen is:
D. Using any procedure if a portion of frozen ready-to-eat food is thawed and prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer’s order.
3-602 Slacking A. Frozen potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) that is slacked to moderate the temperature shall be held:
*3-603 Cooling A. Cooked potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) shall be cooled from 135°F (57°C) to 41°F (5°C), or below, in 6 hours, provided that the food is cooled from 135°F (57°C) to 70°F (21°C) within the first 2 hours.
B. Potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) that has been prepared from ingredients at ambient temperature, such as reconstituted milk and canned products, shall be cooled to 41°F (5°C), or below, within 4 hours.
C. Fluid milk and milk products, shell eggs, and molluscan shellstock received in compliance with laws regulating the respective food during shipment from the supplier shall be cooled to 41°F (5°C) or below within 4 hours.
3-604 Cooling Methods A. Cooling shall be accomplished as required in section 3-603, by using one or more of the following methods based on the type of food being cooled:
Code of Colorado Regulations 43
B. When using food containers to cool food, food shall be:
*C. If time without temperature control is used as the public health control up to a maximum of 6 hours: Code of Colorado Regulations 44
D. A food establishment that serves a highly susceptible population may not use time as specified in section (A), (B) or (C) of this section as the public health control for raw eggs. *3-606 Specialized Processing Methods A. Unless otherwise approved by the Department, a retail food establishment shall develop a HACCP plan and except in (4) of this section, obtain written approval from the Department prior to engaging in any of the following:
Code of Colorado Regulations 45
*3-607 Reduced Oxygen Packaging A. A retail food establishment that packages potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) using a reduced oxygen packaging method shall control the growth and toxin formation of Clostridium botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and have a HACCP plan that contains the information specified under Appendix G and that:
B. Except for fish that is frozen before, during, and after packaging, a food establishment may not package fish using a reduced oxygen packaging method.
C. Except as specified in (B) of this section, a food establishment that packages potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) food using a cook-chill or sous vide process shall:
D. A food establishment that packages cheese using a reduced oxygen packaging method shall:
E. When applying a reduced oxygen packaging process, retail food establishments shall notify the Department in advance and indicate the method proposed (i.e. cook-chill, sous vide). 3-608 Breading Mixtures A. Containers of dry breading mixtures (containing flour, cornmeal, spices, etc.) into which raw animal foods such as poultry and fish are repeatedly dipped, may be used for a total period of up to 7 days and stored at room temperature, provided that:
B. If this procedure is used, the person in charge must have a system in place to indicate the date the breading must be discarded.
3-7 ON-PREMISES LABELING 3-701 Labeling A. When voluntary code date information appears on a retail food establishment or manufacturers' label, it shall not be concealed or altered.
Code of Colorado Regulations 48 B. Bulk food available for consumer self-dispensing shall be prominently labeled according to section 25- 4-1301 et seq., C.R.S., (See Appendix H).
C. If an unpackaged non-bulk food product is manufactured on site and sold at the site where it was manufactured or sold over the counter at a different site, no labeling is required. However, an ingredient label shall be made available upon request.
D. A food ingredient, such as flour, sugar, salt, spices, dried herbs, potato flakes, baking powder, cooking oil or vinegar, that is not stored in the original package and is not readily identifiable on sight, shall be stored in a container identifying it by a common name. 3-702 Special Requirements for Highly Susceptible Populations A. Ready-to-Eat, Potentially Hazardous Food (Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food) served in facilities providing food to highly susceptible populations shall adhere to the following date marking requirements:
*3. A refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) ingredient or a portion of a refrigerated, ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous food (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.
*B. A food establishment that packages potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) that will be served in facilities providing food to highly susceptible populations using a reduced oxygen packaging method as specified in section 3-607 shall have a HACCP plan that contains the information specified under appendix G and that is provided to the Department for review and approval prior to implementation.
*C. The following foods may not be served or offered for sale in a ready-to-eat form to persons in a highly susceptible population:
Code of Colorado Regulations 50
*D. Food may not be re-served to or from highly susceptible populations under the following conditions:
3-8 Consumer Advisory (Section effective July 1, 2013)
*3-801 Consumption of Animal Foods That Are Raw, Undercooked, or Not Otherwise Processed to Eliminate Pathogens A. Except as specified in 3-502(C) and Subparagraph 3-502(K)(1) and in 3-702(A)-(D), if an animal food such as beef, eggs, fish, lamb, milk, pork, poultry, or shellfish is served or sold raw, undercooked, or without otherwise being processed to eliminate pathogens, either in ready-to-eat form or as an ingredient in another ready-to-eat food, the licensee shall inform consumers of the significantly increased risk of consuming such foods by way of a disclosure and reminder, as specified in (B) and (C) of this section using brochures, deli case or menu advisories, label statements, table tents, placards, or other effective written means.
B. Disclosure shall include:
C. Reminder shall include asterisking the animal-derived foods requiring disclosure to a footnote that states:
(ANSI) accredited certification program or a design approved by the Department (see Appendix I); fabricated for durability under conditions of normal use; and resistant to denting, buckling, pitting, chipping, and crazing. Equipment, utensils, and single-service articles shall not impart odor, color, or taste, nor in any manner contribute to the contamination of food. Equipment and utensils shall be repaired with safe materials and maintained in good repair to comply with the requirements of this code. 4-102 Equipment Requirements All retail food establishments shall have at a minimum:
A. Equipment and utensil washing facilities installed and operated in accordance with section 4-403 except retail food establishments that do not prepare food, package food, or dispense unpackaged food other than whole, uncut raw fruits and vegetables, and whole nuts in the shell;
B. At least one manual handsink accessible to employees involved in food preparation and equipment and utensil washing in accordance with section 5-208; and C. A utility facility in accordance with section 5-210. 4-2 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 4-201 Food Contact Surfaces Multi-use food-contact surfaces shall be:
A. Smooth;
B. Free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, pits, and similar imperfections;
C. Free of sharp internal angles, corners, and crevices;
D. Finished to have smooth welds and joints; and E. Accessible for cleaning and inspection by one of the following methods:
A. Cast iron may only be used as a cooking surface which can include use in the service of food when used in an uninterrupted process from cooking through service. Code of Colorado Regulations 52 *B. Ceramic, china, crystal utensils, and decorative utensils, such as hand-painted ceramic or china, that are used in contact with food shall be lead-free or contain levels of lead not exceeding the limits of the following utensil categories:
*C. Copper and copper alloys, such as brass, may not be used in contact with food that has a pH below 6 (e.g. vinegar, fruit juice, wine, carbonated beverage, etc.). Copper and copper alloys may be used in contact with beer brewing ingredients that have a pH below 6 in the prefermentation and fermentation steps of a beer brewing operation such as a brewpub or microbrewery.
D. Enamelware shall not be used for storage or preparation of acidic foods (e.g. vinegar, tomato based sauces, juices, etc.).
*E. Galvanized metal may not be used to fabricate food-contact surfaces of equipment that is used for beverages, moist food, or hygroscopic food.
F. Linens and napkins may not be used in contact with food unless they are used to line a container for the service of foods and the linens and napkins are replaced each time the container is refilled for a new consumer.
G. Clean cloth gloves may be used in direct contact with food that will be subsequently cooked as required as specified in part 3-5 of these rules and regulations, such as frozen food or a primal cut of meat.
H. Pewter alloys containing lead in excess of 0.05% may not be used as a food-contact surface.
I. Solder and flux containing lead in excess of 0.2%, and cadmium, antimony, bismuth, or other toxic chemicals may not be used on surfaces that contact food.
J. Except as specified in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this section, wood and wicker may not be used as a food-contact surface.
K. Cutting surfaces that are scratched and scored must be resurfaced so as to be easily cleaned, or be discarded when these surfaces can no longer be effectively cleaned and sanitized.
L. Wrapping of utensils or equipment handles with absorbent or difficult-to-clean material, such as string, wire or tape shall not be allowed.
M. Newspaper, cloth, paper, oil cloth, cardboard, towels and other nonfood grade surfaces, such as grocery bags or retail store bags, are not approved food contact surfaces. This does not preclude the use of grocery bags for retail customers.
4-203 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces Nonfood-contact surfaces shall be constructed of approved materials, in good repair, and be easily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
A. In new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, wood interior construction in walk-in cooler and freezer units shall be prohibited.
B. Unfinished wood is not acceptable in food preparation, equipment or warewashing, or food storage areas other than those areas used solely as dry food storage areas.
C. Surfaces of equipment or other areas, which are exposed to splash, food debris or which otherwise require frequent cleaning, shall be designed and fabricated to be smooth, durable, nonabsorbent, washable, free of unnecessary ledges, projections, or crevices, and readily accessible for cleaning.
D. Wicker and wicker-like materials, in good repair can be used for service and display of prepackaged food. Service of bread or rolls in wicker or wicker-like materials is permissible if lined with dry linens or napkins, which are replaced each time the container is refilled for a new customer.
E. Newspapers, cloth, paper, cardboard, towels, contact paper, foil, oil cloth, or similar materials shall not be used as liners for shelves, drawers, or drain boards. 4-204 Clean In Place (CIP) Equipment A. CIP equipment shall meet the characteristics of food-contact surfaces and shall be designed and constructed so that:
Code of Colorado Regulations 54 B. CIP equipment that is not designed to be disassembled for cleaning shall be designed with inspection access points to ensure that all interior food-contact surfaces throughout the fixed system are being effectively cleaned.
4-205 "V" Threads, Use Limitation "V" type threads may not be used on food-contact surfaces, except for hot-oil cooking or filtering equipment.
4-206 Hot-Oil Filtering Equipment Hot-oil filtering equipment shall meet the characteristics specified under food-contact surfaces as specified in section 4-201 or CIP equipment as specified in section 4-204 and shall be readily accessible for filter replacement and cleaning of the filter.
4-207 Bearings and Gear Boxes, Leakproof Equipment containing bearings and gears requiring lubricants not made of safe materials shall be designed, constructed and maintained to ensure that the lubricant cannot leak, drip, or be forced into food or onto food-contact surfaces. Equipment designed to receive lubrication of bearings and gears on or within food-contact surfaces shall be lubricated with materials meeting the requirements of Lubricants, 21 CFR section 178.3570, (2008). (see Appendix E)
4-208 Beverage Tubing, Separation Beverage tubing and cold-plate beverage cooling devices shall not be installed in contact with stored ice. This section does not apply to cold plates that are constructed integrally with an ice storage bin. 4-209 Ice Units, Separation of Drains Liquid waste drain lines may not pass through an ice machine or ice storage bin. 4-210 Condenser Unit, Separation If a condenser unit is an integral component of equipment, the condenser unit shall be separated from the food and food storage space by a dustproof barrier.
*4-211 Molluscan Shellfish Tanks A. Except as specified in B of this section, molluscan shellfish life support system display tanks may not be used to store or display shellfish that are offered for human consumption and shall be conspicuously marked so that it is obvious to the consumer that the shellfish are for display only.
B. Molluscan shellfish life-support system display tanks that are used to store or display shellfish that are offered for human consumption shall be operated and maintained in accordance with an approval granted by the department or an approved HACCP plan that:
4-212 Ventilation and Ventilation Hood Systems All rooms shall have sufficient ventilation to keep them free of excessive heat, steam, condensation, vapors, obnoxious odors, smoke, and fumes. Ventilation systems shall comply with applicable building department and fire prevention bureau requirements, and when vented to the outside shall not create an unsightly, harmful, or unlawful discharge. Ventilation systems shall comply with 2006 International Mechanical Code (IMC). When local building and/or fire departments have adopted codes equivalent or more stringent than the above, those codes shall apply.
A. Ventilation Hood Systems . Ventilation systems shall be sufficient in number, capacity, and designed and constructed according to 2006 International Mechanical Code, chapter 5, sections 507 and
B. Equipment from which aerosols, obnoxious odors, noxious fumes, or vapors may originate shall be effectively vented to the outside air or vented through an approved ventilation system.
C. Except for mobile retail food establishments, make up air must be filtered and mechanically introduced into the establishment at a volume equal to or greater than what is exhausted.
D. Fire prevention, extinguishing equipment and lighting systems shall be installed in a ventilation system or hood so as to not create a cleaning problem.
4-3 LOCATION AND INSTALLATION 4-301 Equipment, and Storage Cabinets, Contamination Prevention.
A. The storage of cleaned and sanitized equipment, utensils, laundered linens, laundered clothing and single-service and single-use articles may not be located:
Code of Colorado Regulations 56
B. A storage cabinet used for linens or completely packaged single-service or single-use articles may be stored in a locker area.
4-302 Fixed Equipment, Spacing or Sealing Equipment, including ice makers and ice storage equipment, shall not be located under sewer lines that are not shielded to intercept potential drips or under leaking water lines, including leaking automatic fire sprinkler heads, or under lines on which water has condensed.
A. Table-Mounted Equipment
B. Floor-Mounted Equipment
C. Space Between Adjoining Units
Code of Colorado Regulations 58 D. Aisles and Working Spaces . Aisles and working spaces between units of equipment and between equipment and walls shall be unobstructed and of sufficient width to permit employees to perform their duties readily without contamination of food or food-contact surfaces by clothing or personal contact. All easily moveable storage equipment such as dollies, skids, racks, and open-ended pallets shall be positioned to provide accessibility to working areas.
E. Kick Plates, Removable . Kick plates shall be designed so that the areas behind them are accessible for inspection and cleaning by being:
*B. A temperature measuring device with a suitable small diameter probe that is capable of measuring the temperature of thin masses shall be provided and readily accessible to accurately measure the temperature in thin foods such as meat patties and fish fillets, if this type of food is prepared.
C. Ambient air and warewashing temperature measuring devices shall have a numerical scale, printed record, or digital readout in increments no greater than 2°F or 1°C and shall be accurate to + 3°F (2°C).
D. Each mechanically refrigerated and each hot food storage unit storing potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) shall be provided with a numerically scaled indicating temperature measuring device. Temperature measuring devices used to measure the air temperature of cold holding units shall be conspicuously located in the upper one-third of the unit. Temperature measuring devices used to measure the air temperature of hot food storage units shall be conspicuously located in the lower one-third of the unit.
E. Temperature measuring devices shall be checked and calibrated as necessary to ensure their accuracy.
F. Where it is impractical to install temperature measuring devices on equipment, such as heat lamps, calrod units, or insulated food transport carriers, a temperature measuring device, as required in part A of this section, shall be available and used to check internal food temperature. 4-402 Testing Devices A. An appropriate test kit or other device designed to accurately measure the concentration in parts per million (mg/L) of the sanitizing solution shall be available and used.
B. Where chemicals are used to wash fruits and vegetables in the establishment, the chemicals shall be prepared and used in accordance with the manufacture’s labeled instructions.
C. Where heat sanitization is used in mechanical warewashing machines, an accurate machine or water line mounted temperature gauge must be present. In the event a mounted temperature gauge is not present, an appropriate irreversible registering temperature indicator, such as a maximum read temperature, measuring device or heat sensitive tape shall be available and used to verify proper sanitization.
4-403 Manual Cleaning and Sanitization Code of Colorado Regulations 60 In new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, equipment and utensil washing facilities in accordance with section (A) of this section shall be provided for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils.
A. Except as specified in paragraph (C) of this section, a sink with at least three compartments shall be provided for manually washing, rinsing, and sanitizing equipment and utensils. Each compartment of the sink shall be supplied with hot and cold drinking running water.
B. Sink compartments shall be self-draining and large enough to accommodate immersion of the largest equipment and utensils. If equipment or utensils are too large for the sink compartments, a warewashing machine or alternative equipment as specified in paragraph (C) of this section shall be used.
C. Alternative manual warewashing equipment may be used when there are special cleaning needs or constraints and the Department has approved the use of the alternative equipment. Alternative manual warewashing equipment may include:
D. A two-compartment sink may be used in an existing retail food establishment only if:
E. In manual warewashing operations, a temperature measuring device shall be provided and readily accessible for frequently measuring the washing and sanitizing temperatures. The temperature of the wash solution shall be maintained at not less than 110°F (43°C) unless a different temperature is specified on the cleaning agent manufacturer’s label instructions.
F. Equipment and utensils shall be pre-flushed or pre-scraped, and when necessary, pre-soaked to remove gross food particles and soil.
Code of Colorado Regulations 61 G. When a three-compartment sink is utilized for warewashing or when equipment such as slicers, grinders, kettles, and mixers are cleaned and sanitized in place, the operation shall be conducted in the following sequence:
*H. When pressure spray methods are utilized for cleaning and sanitizing, the equipment and utensils shall be thoroughly flushed with a detergent-sanitizer solution until the article is free of food particles and soil. The detergent-sanitizer shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and shall be of the type that does not require a potable water rinse when used according to those instructions.
*I. The food-contact surfaces of all equipment and utensils shall be sanitized by:
Code of Colorado Regulations 62 *J. When hot water is used for sanitizing, the following equipment shall be provided and used:
*K. Chemicals used for sanitization, shall not have concentrations higher than the maximum permitted under Sanitizers, 40 CFR 180.940 (2005).
4-404 Mechanical Cleaning and Sanitization A. Cleaning and sanitizing may be done by spray-type, immersion warewashing, or by any other type of machine or device if it is demonstrated that it thoroughly cleans and sanitizes equipment and utensils. These machines and devices shall be properly installed and maintained in good repair. Machines and devices shall be operated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Utensils and equipment placed in the machine shall be exposed to all warewashing cycles. Automatic detergent dispensers, wetting agent dispensers, and liquid sanitizer injectors shall be properly installed and maintained.
B. The pressure of final rinse water supplied to spray-type warewashing machines shall not be less than 15 pounds per square inch (1.05 kg per sq cm) nor more than 25 pounds per square inch (1.76 kg per sq cm) measured in the water line immediately upstream from the final rinse control valve. A 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) Iron Pipe Size (IPS) valve shall be provided immediately upstream from the final control valve to permit checking the flow pressure of the final rinse water. In all new installations, a pressure gauge shall be provided for use with the IPS valve. This section does not apply to a machine that uses only a pumped sanitizing rinse.
C. Machine or water-line mounted numerically-scaled indicating temperature monitoring device, accurate to ± 3°F (± 2°C), shall be provided to indicate the temperature of the water in each tank of the machine and the temperature of the final rinse water as it enters the manifold.
D. Rinse water tanks shall be protected by baffles, curtains, or other effective means to minimize the entry of wash water into the rinse water. Conveyors in warewashing machines shall be accurately timed to ensure proper exposure times in wash and rinse cycles in accordance with manufacturer's specifications attached to the machines.
E. Equipment and utensils shall be flushed or scraped and, when necessary, soaked to remove gross food particles and soil prior to being washed in a warewashing machine unless a pre-wash cycle is a part of the warewashing machine operation. Equipment and utensils shall be placed in racks, trays, or baskets, or on conveyors, in a way that exposes food-contact surfaces to the unobstructed application of detergent wash and clean rinse waters, and that permits free draining.
F. Chemical sanitizing warewashing machines (single-tank, stationary-tank, door-type machines, and spray-type glass washers) may be used provided that:
Achieving a utensil and/or equipment surface temperature of 160°F (71°C) is an acceptable means of testing the sanitization process of a hot water sanitizing warewashing machine.
Pumped rinse temperature 160°F (72°C)
*H. Mechanical Warewashing Equipment, Hot Water Sanitization Temperatures In mechanical warewashing machines the temperature of the fresh hot water sanitizing rinse as it enters the manifold may not be more than 194°F (90°C), or less than:
I. All warewashing machines shall be thoroughly cleaned daily and as needed to maintain them in a satisfactory operating condition.
J. A warewashing machine shall be provided with an easily accessible and readable data plate affixed to the machine which includes:
Code of Colorado Regulations 64
K. After being cleaned and sanitized, equipment and utensils shall not be rinsed before air drying or use unless:
4-405 Drainboard and Dishtable Requirements A. Drainboards and dishtables shall be self draining and shall have a minimum pitch of 1/8 inch (3.2mm) per foot (304.8mm). Drainage shall be directed to warewashing sink bowls, pre-rinse sinks, scuppers or warewashing machines.
B. Drainboards and dishtables shall be supported as needed to prevent sagging and shall have edges turned up at least ½ inch (12.7 mm).
C. When provided on warewashing sinks, drainboards shall be integrally welded to the sink bowl(s).
D. Drainboards and dishtables shall be large enough to accommodate for the staging of soiled equipment, dishes, glasses, mugs, kitchenware, tableware and utensils so they may be adequately pre-scraped and pre-flushed prior to warewashing and large enough to accommodate the air drying of sanitized items that may accumulate during hours of operation. Drainboard and dishtable’s length shall be measured from right to left.
FACILITY TYPE SOILED DRAINBOARDS CLEAN DRAINBOARDS Single Service Twenty-four (24) Twenty-four (24)
Multi-use Service Thirty-six (36) Thirty-six (36)
With Manual Inches (91 cm) Inches (91 cm)
Warewashing Code of Colorado Regulations 65 Multi-use Service Forty-eight (48) Forty-eight (48)
With Mechanical Inches (122 cm) Inches (122 cm)
Warewashing
E. Except for under counter warewashing machines, prerinse sprayers or other approved means shall be provided and used for pre-scraping and pre-flushing of soiled equipment, dishes and utensils when a warewashing machine is installed.
F. Scuppers when installed shall transverse the entire flat section of the drainboard or dishtable to prevent soiled water and debris from draining into the warewashing sink bowl or warewashing machine. Scuppers shall be equipped with a readily removable strainers or strainer baskets. 4-406 Drying Unless used immediately after sanitization, all equipment and utensils shall be air-dried. Towel drying shall not be permitted. Utensils that have been air-dried may be polished with cloths which are maintained clean and dry.
4-407 Food-Contact Surfaces of Equipment and Utensils A. Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils shall be clean to sight and touch. *B. Utensils and food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized:
Code of Colorado Regulations 66
*C. Where equipment and utensils are used for the preparation of potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) on a continuous or production-line basis, utensils and the food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be cleaned and sanitized at intervals not to exceed four (4) hours.
D. Surfaces of utensils and equipment contacting potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food) may be cleaned less frequently than every 4 hours if:
Temperature Cleaning Frequency 41°F (5.0°C) or less 24 hours >41°F - 45°F (>5.0°C - 7.2°C) 20 hours >45°F - 50°F (>7.2°C - 10.0°C) 16 hours >50°F - 55°F (>10.0°C - 12.8°C) 10 hours FIGURE 3
4-408 Nonfood-Contact Surfaces Code of Colorado Regulations 67 Nonfood-contact surfaces of equipment, including transport vehicles, shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep the equipment free from the accumulation of dust, dirt, food particles, and other debris. 4-409 Dry Equipment Cleaning Methods Dry equipment cleaning methods, such as brushing, scraping, and vacuuming shall contact only surfaces that are soiled with dry food residues that are not potentially hazardous; this cleaning equipment shall not be used for any other purpose.
4-5 LAUNDRY FACILITIES 4-501 Laundry Facilities A. If provided, laundry facilities shall be restricted to the washing and drying of linens and work clothes used in the operation. If such items are laundered on the premises, an electric or gas clothes dryer shall be provided and used, except that it is not necessary to provide a clothes dryer provided that:
B. Laundry facilities shall not be located in food preparation areas. If located in food storage areas, it shall be operated in a manner that prevents the contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service and single-use articles and wiping cloths.
C. Soiled linens shall be kept in clean, nonabsorbent receptacles or clean, washable laundry bags. Soiled linens shall be stored and transported to prevent contamination of food, clean equipment, clean utensils, single-service and single-use articles. 4-6 EQUIPMENT AND UTENSIL HANDLING AND STORAGE 4-601 Equipment and Utensil Storage A. Cleaned and sanitized equipment and utensils shall be handled in a way that protects them from contamination. Spoons, knives, and forks shall be touched only by their handles. Cups, glasses, bowls, plates, and similar items shall be handled without contact with inside surfaces or surfaces that contact the user's mouth.
B. Cleaned and sanitized utensils and equipment shall be stored at least 6 inches (15.24 cm) above the floor in a clean, dry location in a way that protects them from contamination by splash, dust, and other means. The food-contact surfaces of fixed equipment shall also be protected from contamination. Equipment and utensils shall not be placed under sewer lines or water lines that are not protected to intercept potential drips, including leaking automatic fire protection sprinkler heads, or under lines on which water has condensed.
C. Utensils shall be air-dried, in accordance with section 4-406, before being stored or shall be stored in a self-draining position.
D. Glasses and cups shall be stored inverted. Other stored tableware shall be covered or inverted, wherever practical. Facilities for the storage of knives, forks and spoons shall be designed and Code of Colorado Regulations 68 used to present the handle to the employee or consumer. Unless pre-wrapped, holders for knives, forks and spoons at self-service locations shall protect these articles from contamination and present the handle of the utensil to the consumer.
4-602 Single-Service and Single-Use Articles A. Single-service articles shall be stored at least 6 inches (15.24 cm) above the floor in closed cartons or containers which protect them from contamination. They shall not be placed under exposed sewer lines or water lines, except for automatic fire protection sprinkler heads that may be required by law.
B. Single-service articles shall be handled and dispensed in a manner that prevents contamination of surfaces which may come in contact with food or with the mouth of the user.
C. Single-service knives, forks, and spoons packaged in bulk shall be inserted into holders or be wrapped prior to dispensing by employees who have washed their hands immediately prior to sorting or wrapping the utensils. Holders shall be provided to protect these items from contamination and present the handle of the utensil to the consumer.
D. Single-service and single-use articles may not be reused.
E. Mollusk and crustacea shells may not be used more than once as serving containers. 4-603 Preset Tableware Tableware may be preset if:
A. Except as specified in paragraph (B) of this section, tableware that is preset shall be protected from contamination by being wrapped, covered or inverted;
B. Preset tableware may be exposed if unused settings are removed when a consumer is seated and cleaned and sanitized before further use.
CHAPTER 5 WATER, PLUMBING, AND WASTE 5-1 WATER SUPPLY *5-101 General A. Adequate, uncontaminated, safe drinking water for the needs of the retail food establishment shall be provided from a source constructed, maintained, and operated according to the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations and regulations adopted pursuant to Title 25-1.5-203 C.R.S., or
*5-102 System Flushing and Disinfection A drinking water system shall be flushed and disinfected before being placed in service after construction, repair, or modification and after an emergency situation, such as a flood, that may introduce contaminants to the system.
*5-103 Bottled Drinking Water Bottled drinking water used or sold in a retail food establishment shall be obtained from approved sources in accordance with Processing and Bottling of Bottled Drinking Water, 21 CFR section 129, (2009). *5-104 Transportation All drinking water not provided directly by pipe to the retail food establishment from the source shall be transported in a bulk water transport system and shall be delivered to a closed-water system. Both of these systems shall be constructed and operated according to law and operated as approved by the Department.
*5-105 Emergency Alternative Water Supply A. Establishments intending to operate when there is a temporary interruption of water service or an upset in the supply of treated drinking water, with approval by the Department prior to implementation, the establishment may continue operation if the temporary water supply meets the requirements of sections 5-101, 5 102, 5 103, 5-104 and 5-105 and drinking water is made available through:
A. Water under pressure of at least 15 pounds per square inch (psi) (1.05 kg per sq. cm) at the required temperature shall be provided to all fixtures and equipment that use water.
B. Hot and cold water shall be provided to all sinks.
*5-108 Hot Water Hot water generation and distribution systems shall be sufficient to meet the peak hot water demands throughout the retail food establishment. (see Appendix C) *5-109 Steam Steam used in contact with food or food-contact surfaces shall be free from any unsafe materials or additives not listed in Specific Usage Additives, 21 CFR section173.310, (2003). (see Appendix D) 5-2 PLUMBING SYSTEM 5-201 General Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained in accordance with applicable state and local plumbing codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards. Plumbing shall be designed and constructed according to the 2009 International Plumbing Code . Where local building departments have adopted codes equivalent to or more stringent than the above, those codes shall apply. The Department shall work in collaboration with the local building and/or fire department with regard to enforcement and compliance activities. Plumbing fixtures shall be easily cleanable and kept clean. *5-202 Backflow *A. General The drinking water system shall be constructed to prevent backflow. There shall be no unprotected cross- connections between the drinking water supply and any non-drinking water supply, or any sources of contamination. Devices or assemblies installed shall meet the appropriate application for the hazard of the cross connection to prevent backflow of a solid, liquid or gas contaminant into the drinking water supply system at each point of use within the retail food establishment. *B. Backflow prevention devices and installation requirements
C. Applications Code of Colorado Regulations 71 *1. Inlets to tanks, vats, garbage disposals, troughs, fixtures, warewashing machines and other equipment with submerged inlets shall be protected by an approved backflow prevention device or with an approved air gap at the inlet.
*4. Hose bibs, sillcocks, and threaded faucets where a hose can be attached shall be equipped with a proper backflow prevention device in accordance with 5-202 (B) (2) and (3). This paragraph shall not apply to water heater and boiler drain valves that are provided with hose connection threads and that are intended only for tank or vessel draining, or to water supply valves intended for connection of clothes washing machines where backflow prevention is otherwise provided or is integral with the machine.
5-203 Conditioning Device, Design Water filters, screens, and other water conditioning devices installed on water lines shall be made of safe materials and designed and located to facilitate disassembly for periodic servicing and cleaning. A water filter element shall be of the replaceable type.
5-204 Grease Trap / Grease Interceptor If required by the local building, water or sanitation authority, when possible, a grease trap, grease interceptor, or solids interceptor should be located outside the establishment. When installed inside the establishment, a grease trap, grease interceptor, or solids interceptor shall be located away from the food preparation area and be easily accessible for cleaning. 5-205 Food Waste Grinders/Garbage Disposals Code of Colorado Regulations 72 A. In new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, food waste grinders or garbage disposals, if provided, shall be installed in the soiled drainboard of the warewashing sink, food preparation sink, or warewashing machine. The installation will be approved under the following conditions:
B. Food waste grinders or garbage disposals may be installed in the basin of the sink if the sink is used solely for the disposal of food wastes.
*5-206 Drainage Of Equipment.
A. Warewashing machines, refrigerators, walk-in refrigerators, freezers, walk-in freezers, warewashing sinks, food/vegetable preparation sinks, steam kettles, potato peelers, ice bins, containers of ice for use in food and beverages, ice machines, and similar types of equipment in which food, portable equipment or utensils are placed shall be indirectly connected to the waste line and shall drain into an approved receptor of such size, shape, and capacity to prevent splashing or flooding. The receptor shall be readily accessible for cleaning and inspection.
B. Warewashing sinks and dishmachines installed prior to the effective date of these Regulations may be directly connected to the plumbing waste system provided there is a floor drain or floor sink installed within five (5) feet (1.5 M) immediately downstream of the sink waste line, and the fixture shall be connected on the sewer side of the floor drain or floor sink, and no other fixtures are connected to the waste line. The fixture and floor drain shall be trapped and vented as required by the 2009 International Plumbing Code or where local building departments have adopted codes equivalent or more stringent than the above, those codes shall apply (see Figure 4).
C. In new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, each walk-in refrigerator used for iced products, hanging meats or which requires flushing shall either be equipped with a floor drain installed only with indirect waste and discharged through an air gap into an approved receptor or constructed so all parts of the floor of such walk-in refrigerator shall be graded to drain to the outside of the refrigerator through a waste pipe, doorway or other opening. Code of Colorado Regulations 73 5-207 Drainage System Installation Drain lines from equipment shall not discharge liquid waste in a manner that permits the flooding of floors, or the flowing of water across working or walking areas, or into difficult-to-clean areas that create a nuisance.
5-208 Handwashing Lavatory, Water Temperature, and Flow *A. The number of fixtures shall comply with the requirements of the plumbing code adopted by the respective local jurisdiction, or in the absence of such local requirements with the minimum plumbing fixtures listed in the 2009 International Plumbing Code . *B. Handsinks shall be conveniently located to employees involved in food preparation, food dispensing, warewashing and utensil handling. Handsinks shall be unobstructed and accessible to employees at all times and used only for handwashing. Sinks used for food preparation or for washing equipment shall not be used for handwashing. Handsinks used for toilet rooms shall be located in the toilet rooms.
*C. Handwashing sink water temperatures. Each handsink shall be provided with water at least 100°F (38°C) by means of a mixing valve or combination faucet. Any self-closing, slow-closing, or metering faucet used shall be designed to provide a flow of water for at least 15 seconds without the need to reactivate the faucet.
*D. A supply of hand-cleansing soap or detergent shall be available at each handsink or group of two (2) adjacent handwashing sinks. A continuous cloth towel system that supplies the user with a clean towel, individual disposable towels, or a hand-drying device providing heated or high velocity pressurized air shall be conveniently located near each handsink or group of adjacent handwashing sinks.
Code of Colorado Regulations 74 *E. Common towels are prohibited for the drying of hands.
F. Hand towels shall be stored to protect unused towels from becoming contaminated.
G. If disposable towels are used, an easily cleanable waste receptacle shall be conveniently located near the handsink.
H. Handsinks, soap dispensers, hand-drying devices and all related fixtures shall be kept clean and in good repair.
I. Automatic Handwashing Facilities:
J. Handwashing Sink Specifications for New or Extensively Remodeled Establishments
5-209 Toilets and Urinals *A. Toilet facilities shall be installed according to law, shall be the number required by law, shall be conveniently located, and shall be accessible to employees and patrons.
B. Separate toilet facilities shall be required for each sex in establishments with seating capacity in excess of 20 patrons or more than 20 employees. In all new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, these facilities shall be installed to comply with the requirements of the Plumbing Code adopted by the respective local jurisdictions, or in the absence of such local requirements, with the minimum numbers of plumbing fixtures listed in the 2009 International Plumbing Code .
C. Separate toilet facilities are not required for each sex in places of 15 or fewer seating capacity for patrons, or 20 or fewer employees where there is no seating capacity, provided the toilet is a single occupancy facility and the door can be secured from the inside.
D. Retail food establishments with no space on the premises for consumption of food by patrons are required to provide toilet facilities only for employees. Patron facilities shall be available where parking is provided primarily for consumption of food on the premise. In all new or extensively Code of Colorado Regulations 75 remodeled retail food establishments where parking is provided primarily for consumption of food on the premise, the number of necessary fixtures shall comply with the minimum plumbing fixtures required by the Plumbing Code or Building Code adopted by the respective local jurisdiction, or in the absence of such local requirements, with the numbers listed in 2009 International Plumbing Code , table 403.1.
E. Employees and patrons may use the same toilet facility provided that patrons have access to them without entering the food preparation, food storage, or warewashing or utensil storage areas of the establishment.
F. Public toilets in multiple activity areas such as shopping centers, sports centers, etc., may suffice for the use of retail food establishment patrons and employees, if fixtures are provided in adequate numbers conveniently located to the retail food establishment and available at all times the retail food establishment is in operation.
G. Except where a toilet room is located outside a food establishment and does not open directly into the food establishment such as a toilet room that is provided by the management of a shopping mall, a toilet room located on the premises shall be completely enclosed and provided with a tight- fitting and self-closing door.
H. Toilet facilities, including toilet fixtures and any related vestibules, shall be kept clean and in good repair. A supply of toilet tissue in a permanently mounted dispenser shall be provided at each toilet at all times.
I. Easily cleanable trash receptacles shall be provided. A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered trash receptacle for sanitary products. Trash receptacles shall be emptied at least once a day, and more frequently when necessary to prevent excessive accumulation of refuse. 5-210 Utility Facility A. In new or extensively remodeled retail food establishments, at least one conveniently located utility sink or curbed cleaning facility with a floor drain and hot and cold water shall be provided and used for the cleaning of mops or similar wet floor cleaning tools and for the disposal of mop water or similar liquid wastes.
B. Suitable cleaning equipment and supplies, such as high pressure pumps, hot water, steam, and detergent, shall be provided as necessary for effective cleaning of equipment and receptacles for refuse, recyclables, and returnables. If approved by the Department, off-premise cleaning services may be used.
*C. A utility sink cannot be used for food preparation or warewashing.
D. Dump Sinks In new or extensively remodeled establishments, bars, juice bars, coffee bars, drink stations, wait stations or other areas where soiled drinking glasses and mugs are emptied and staged for warewashing, a dump sink shall be provided and used for the sanitary disposal of liquid drink waste, ice and/or collection of debris emptied from glasses and mugs.
*5-212 Water Reservoir of Fogging Devices, Cleaning A. A reservoir used to supply water to a device, such as a produce fogger shall be:
B. Cleaning procedures shall include at least the following steps and shall be conducted at least once a week:
A. Garbage, refuse, compost, and recyclables shall be held in durable, easily cleanable containers that do not leak and do not absorb liquids. Plastic bags and/or wet strength paper bags shall be used to line these containers. Such bags and durable plastic garbage and refuse containers shall be used for storage inside the food establishment.
B. Containers stored in food preparation and utensil washing areas shall be emptied when full.
C. Containers stored outside the food establishment, including dumpsters, compactors, and compactor systems, shall be easily cleanable, shall be insect and rodent-proof, shall be provided with tight- fitting lids, doors, or covers, and shall be kept covered when not in actual use. Drains in receptacles and waste handling units for refuse, recyclables and returnables shall have drain plugs in place.
D. There shall be a sufficient number of containers to hold all the garbage, refuse, compost and recyclables that accumulate.
E. Soiled containers, including dumpsters, compactors, and compactor systems, shall be cleaned at a frequency to prevent insect and rodent attraction. Each container shall be thoroughly cleaned on the inside and outside in a way that does not contaminate food, equipment, utensils, or food preparation areas. Suitable facilities, detergent, and hot water or steam, shall be provided and used for cleaning containers. Liquid waste from compacting or cleaning operations shall be disposed of as sewage.
Code of Colorado Regulations 77 5-302 Storage A. Garbage, refuse, compost and recyclables, on the premises, shall be stored in a manner to be inaccessible to insects and rodents. Cardboard or other packaging material not containing garbage or food wastes need not be stored in covered containers provided such materials do not create a nuisance.
B. Indoor garbage or refuse storage rooms, compost and recycling areas if provided, shall be constructed of easily cleanable, nonabsorbent, washable materials, shall be kept clean, and shall be insect and rodent resistant. These areas shall be large enough to store all garbage and refuse containers.
C. Outside storage areas or enclosures, if provided, shall be kept clean and shall be large enough to store all the garbage and refuse containers. Garbage, refuse, compost, recycling containers, dumpsters, and compactor systems located outside, shall be stored on a smooth surface of nonabsorbent material, such as concrete or machine-laid asphalt, that is kept clean and maintained in good repair.
5-303 Disposal A. Garbage, refuse, compost and recyclable materials shall be removed often enough to prevent the development of objectionable odors and the attraction of insects and rodents.
B. Where garbage or refuse is burned on the premises, it shall be done by controlled incineration in accordance with the law. Areas around incineration units shall be kept clean and orderly. 5-304 Storage Areas, Redeeming Machines, Equipment, and Receptacles, Location A. An area designated for refuse, recyclables, compost, returnables and, a redeeming machine for recyclables or returnables, except as specified in paragraph B of this section, shall be located separate from food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles, and a public health nuisance is not created.
B. A redeeming machine may be located in the packaged food storage area or consumer area of a retail food establishment if food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles are not subject to contamination from the machines and a public health nuisance is not created.
C. The location of equipment and receptacles for refuse, recyclables, compost and returnables may not create a public health nuisance or interfere with the cleaning of adjacent space. CHAPTER 6 PHYSICAL FACILITIES 6-1 FLOORS 6-101 Floor Construction A. Floors and floor coverings in all food preparation, food storage, warewashing areas, walk-in refrigeration units, dressing rooms, locker rooms, utility sink areas, toilet rooms, garbage rooms, and around permanently installed buffets, salad bars and soft drink dispensers shall be constructed of smooth, durable, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable material and shall be maintained in good repair. Areas subject to spilling or dripping of grease or fatty substances shall be of grease-resistant material. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of anti-slip floor coverings in areas where necessary for safety reasons.
Code of Colorado Regulations 78 B. Floors which are water flushed or which receive discharges of water or other fluid wastes or are in areas where pressure spray methods for cleaning are used, shall be provided with properly installed trapped drains and graded to drain. In all new establishments, floor drains and floor sinks shall be installed to be accessible for cleaning. 6-102 Floor Carpeting Carpeting, if used as a floor covering, shall be of closely-woven construction, properly installed, easily cleanable, and maintained in good repair. Carpeting shall not be used in food preparation, warewashing, food storage, utility sink areas, or in toilet room areas where urinals or fixtures are located. Carpeting is permitted in the retail sales area provided it is maintained in good repair and kept clean. 6-103 Utility Line Installation Exposed utility service lines and pipes shall be installed in a way that does not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the floor. In all new or extensively remodeled food establishments, installation of exposed horizontal utility service lines and pipes on the floor is prohibited. 6-104 Floor Junctures All floors installed in food preparation, food storage and warewashing areas, and in walk-in refrigerators, dressing or locker rooms, utility sink areas, and toilet rooms, shall provide a coved juncture between the floor and wall. In all cases, the juncture between the floor and wall shall be closed and sealed. 6-105 Prohibited Floor Covering Cardboard, newspapers, sawdust, wood shavings, granular salt, baked clay, diatomaceous earth, or similar materials shall not be used as floor coverings; however, these materials may be used in amounts necessary for immediate spot clean-up of spills or drippage on floors. 6-106 Mats and Duckboards Mats and duckboards shall be designed to be removable, easily cleanable, and be maintained clean and in good repair.
6-2 WALLS AND CEILINGS 6-201 Construction A. Walls, wall coverings, and ceilings shall be designed, constructed and installed to be smooth, durable and easily cleanable.
B. Except for in dry storage units, walls, including non-supporting partitions, wall coverings and ceilings of walk-in refrigerating units, food preparation areas, food storage areas, equipment-washing and warewashing areas shall be smooth, nonabsorbent, easily cleanable, and maintained in good repair. Concrete or pumice blocks used for interior wall construction in these locations shall be finished and sealed to provide an easily cleanable surface. Acoustical material, free of porous perforations, smooth and durable enough to be washed with a cloth or sponge, may be used. Walls, including non-supporting partitions and wall coverings in toilet rooms shall be smooth, nonabsorbent, and easily cleanable. Porous acoustical ceilings are permitted in toilet rooms and their vestibules.
6-202 Attachments, Exposed Construction Code of Colorado Regulations 79 A. Except as specified in paragraph C of this section, attachments to walls and ceilings such as light fixtures, mechanical room ventilation system components, vent covers, wall-mounted fans, decorative items, and other attachments shall be easily cleanable.
B. Studs, joists, and rafters shall not be exposed in those areas listed in section 6-201(B) of these rules and regulations. If exposed in other rooms or areas, they shall be kept clean.
C. In consumer and backbar areas limited to beverage service and the heating of pre-prepared foods for immediate service, wall and ceiling surfaces and decorative items and attachments that are provided for ambiance need not meet this requirement if they are kept clean.
D. Exposed utility service lines and pipes shall not obstruct or prevent cleaning of walls and ceilings. Utility service lines or pipes shall not be unnecessarily exposed on walls or ceilings in those areas listed in section 6-201(B) of these rules and regulations. 6-3 LIGHTING 6-301 Light Intensity A. Permanently fixed artificial light sources shall be installed to provide at least 50 foot candles (540 lux) of light on all food preparation surfaces and at warewashing work levels.
B. Permanently fixed artificial light sources shall be installed to provide, at a distance of 30 inches (76
6-302 Light Bulbs, Protective Shielding A. Except as specified in paragraph B of this section, light bulbs shall be shielded, coated, or otherwise shatter-resistant in areas where there is exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
B. Shielded, coated or otherwise shatter-resistant bulbs are not required in areas used only for storing food in unopened packages if:
C. An infrared or other heat lamp shall be protected against breakage by a shield surrounding and extending beyond the bulb so that only the face of the bulb is exposed. 6-4 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE 6-401 Cleaning Physical Facilities A. Cleaning of floors, walls, and ceilings shall be done as needed, preferably during periods when the least amount of food is exposed, such as after closing. Code of Colorado Regulations 80 B. Only dustless methods for cleaning floors, walls, and ceilings shall be used, such as vacuum cleaning, wet cleaning, treated dust mops, or the use of dust-arresting sweeping compounds with brooms.
C. Floors, mats, duckboards, walls, ceilings, and attachments (e.g., light fixtures, vent covers, wall and ceiling mounted fans, and similar equipment), and decorative materials (e.g., signs and advertising materials), shall be kept clean.
D. Mop water shall be changed as needed to prevent the recontamination of cleaned surfaces. 6-402 Cleaning Equipment Storage.
Maintenance and cleaning tools, such as brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, and similar equipment, shall be maintained in good repair and stored in a way that does not contaminate food, utensils, equipment, or linens. Maintenance and cleaning tools shall be stored in an orderly manner to facilitate the cleaning of the storage area. After use, mops shall be placed in a position that allows them to air-dry without soiling walls, equipment, or supplies.
6-5 PREMISES 6-501 General A. Retail food establishments and all parts of the property used in connection with operations of the retail food establishment shall be kept free of litter, maintained clean and in good repair, and shall comply with local ordinances.
B. The outdoor walking and driving areas shall be surfaced with concrete, asphalt, gravel or other materials that have been effectively treated to minimize dust, facilitate maintenance, and minimize muddy conditions. These surfaces shall be graded to drain and kept free of litter. Exterior surfaces of buildings shall be of weather-resistant materials and shall comply with law.
C. Only articles necessary to the operation and maintenance of the retail food establishment shall be stored on the premises.
6-502 Living Areas No retail food establishment operation shall be conducted in any area used as living or sleeping quarters. A retail food establishment operation shall be separated from any living or sleeping quarters by complete partitioning and solid, self-closing doors, and shall comply with local requirements. 6-503 Dressing Rooms and Locker Areas A. Dressing rooms or dressing areas shall be designated if employees routinely change their clothes in the establishment.
B. Designated areas or other suitable facilities shall be provided for the orderly storage of employees' clothing and other possessions.
C. If the retail food establishment provides a storage area for any food belonging to employees it shall be inside a covered, leakproof container designated for the storage of employee food and maintained by the facility.
CHAPTER 7 POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS 7-1 LABELING AND IDENTIFICATION Code of Colorado Regulations 81 *7-101 Identifying Information, Prominence Containers of poisonous or toxic materials and personal care items shall bear a legible manufacturer's label.
*7-102 Working Containers Working containers used for storing poisonous or toxic material, such as cleaners and sanitizers taken from bulk supplies, shall be clearly and individually identified with at least the name of the material. *7-103 Separation Poisonous or toxic materials shall be stored so they do not contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-service and single-use articles by:
A. Separating the poisonous or toxic materials by spacing or partitioning; and B. Locating the poisonous or toxic materials in an area that is not above food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service or single-use articles. Except that equipment and utensil cleaners and sanitizers may be stored in warewashing areas for availability and convenience if such materials are stored to prevent contamination of food, equipment, utensils, linens, or single-service and single-use articles.
C. Poisonous or toxic materials stored or displayed for retail sale shall be separated from food and single-service articles by spacing, partitioning, or dividers. These materials shall not be stored or displayed above food or single-service articles.
*7-104 Restriction A. Only those poisonous or toxic materials required for the operation and maintenance of a retail food establishment, such as for the cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and utensils and the control of insects and rodents, shall be allowed in a retail food establishment.
B. Paragraph A of this section does not apply to packaged poisonous or toxic materials that are for retail sale.
*7-105 Use of Materials A. Sanitizers, disinfectants, cleaning compounds, or other compounds intended for use on food-contact surfaces shall not be used in a way that leaves a toxic residue on such surfaces in accordance with 40 CFR 180.940 (2005).
B. Poisonous or toxic materials shall not be used in a way that contaminates food, food contact surfaces, equipment, utensils, or single service articles, nor in a way other than in full compliance with the manufacturer's labeling.
*7-106 Food Containers A container previously used to store poisonous or toxic materials shall not be used as a food contact surface. A container previously used to store food shall not be used as a container to store toxic materials.
*7-107 Chemicals for Washing Fruits and Vegetables, Criteria Code of Colorado Regulations 82 Chemicals used to wash whole fruits and vegetables shall meet the requirements of Chemicals Used In Washing Or To Assist In The Lye Peeling Of Fruits And Vegetables, 21 CFR section 173.315, (2003). *7-108 Boiler Water Additives, Criteria Chemicals used as boiler water additives shall meet the requirements specified in Boiler Water Additives, 21 CFR section 173.310, (2003) (see Appendix D).
*7-109 Drying Agents, Criteria Drying agents used in conjunction with sanitization shall be approved by the Department. *7-110 Personal Medications Only those medications necessary for the health of employees shall be present in the retail food establishment. Medications and cosmetics shall be stored in properly labeled containers and located so that food and food-contact surfaces of equipment, utensils, linens, single-service and single-use articles cannot be contaminated. Medications requiring refrigeration and stored in a food refrigerator shall be properly identified, double packaged and located on the lowest shelf. This paragraph does not apply to medications that are stored or displayed for retail sale. *7-111 First Aid Supplies First aid supplies shall be properly labeled and stored in a way that prevents them from contaminating food and food-contact surfaces, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service and single-use articles. CHAPTER 8 INSECT, RODENT AND ANIMAL CONTROL 8-1 PREVENTION 8-101 Outer Openings, Protected A. Openings to the outdoors shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:
B. If windows or doors are kept open, the openings shall be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by:
C. Paragraph B of this section does not apply in customer areas if flying insects and other pests are absent due to the location of the retail food establishment, the weather, or other limiting conditions.
D. Doors used only for delivery or emergency exit are not required to be equipped with self-closing devices, but shall remain closed at all other times.
Code of Colorado Regulations 83 E. All foundations shall be rodent-proof. Openings between the floor and bottom of outer doors, when closed, shall be no greater than one-fourth inch (1/4") (0.635 cm). 8-102 Controlling Pests The presence of insects, rodents, and other pests shall be controlled to minimize their presence on the premises by:
A. Routinely inspecting incoming shipments of food and supplies;
B. Routinely inspecting the premises for evidence of pests; *C. Using methods, if pests are found, such as trapping devices or other means of pest control as specified in sections 8-103 and 8-104;
D. Eliminating harborage conditions; and E. Eliminating infestations.
8-103 Insect Control Devices, Design and Installation A. Devices used to electrocute flying insects and that may impel insects or insect fragments shall be:
*B. Devices used to trap insects by adherence may not be installed above exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, or unwrapped single-service and single-use articles unless the device is designed to completely contain the trapped insects.
*8-104 Pesticide Application A. Only pesticides registered for application in a food establishment are permitted and shall be applied according to label directions.
B. A pesticide shall be applied so that direct or indirect contact with food, equipment, utensils, linens, and single-service and single-use articles is prevented by protecting those items as follows:
C. Bait shall be contained in a covered tamper-proof bait station. Code of Colorado Regulations 84 D. Only nontoxic tracking powder such as talcum or flour may be used provided it does not contaminate food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service or single-use articles. *8-105 Removing Birds, Insects, Rodents, and Other Pests Birds, insects, rodents, and other pests shall be removed from control devices and the premises at a frequency that prevents their accumulation, decomposition, or the attraction of pests. *8-106 Prohibiting of Animals *A. Except as specified in (B) and (C) of this section, live animals may not be allowed on the premises of a food establishment.
B. Provided that the contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single- service and single-use articles is controlled, live animals are allowed in the following situations:
C. Live fish bait shall be stored to prevent contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.
CHAPTER 9 MOBILE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OR PUSHCARTS 9-1 MOBILE RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENT 9-101 General Code of Colorado Regulations 85 A. Mobile retail food establishments and pushcarts shall comply with the requirements of these rules and regulations except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The Department may impose additional requirements to protect against health hazards related to the conduct of the mobile retail food establishment or pushcart and may prohibit the sale of any potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods). This may include maintaining receipts, logs, or any other records. If restrictions are imposed by the Department, they shall be in writing with a copy provided on the mobile unit at all times. A list of menu items prepared and/or served by the operator shall be submitted to the Department and available at all times. The original retail food establishment license shall be posted on the unit at all times as per Section 11-101. When no apparent health hazard will result, the Department may waive or modify requirements of these rules and regulations relating to physical facilities, except those requirements of sections 9- 104 and 9-105.
B. Mobile Retail Food Establishments shall have equipment installed and/or mounted, according to Section 4-302, within the mobile retail food establishment with the exception of a grill and/or a smoker, approved by the Department, which shall be allowed outside of the mobile retail food establishment for cooking of food only. *All foods shall be prepared, assembled and served from within the mobile retail food establishment and not from the external piece of cooking equipment.
C. Pushcarts shall be limited to cooking approved menu items and serving commercially prepared or commissary prepared food that will result in simple assembly. All items related to the operation of the pushcart shall be kept on the unit, except for those items specified in Section 9-108(A). 9-102 Exemptions Mobile retail food establishments and pushcarts are exempt from requirements for self-contained water or sewage systems, and cleaning and sanitization of equipment under the following conditions:
A. The menu is limited to commercially packaged potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) or food that is prepared, then packaged in individual servings, transported and stored and served without further handling under conditions meeting the requirements of these rules and regulations; and B. Beverages served are dispensed from covered urns or other protected equipment; and C. The required equipment for cleaning and sanitization exists at the commissary. 9-103 Single-service Articles Mobile retail food establishments and pushcarts shall provide only single-service articles for use by the consumer.
9-104 Water System *A. A mobile retail food establishment or a pushcart that does not meet the exemptions of section 9-102 of these rules and regulations shall provide hot and cold drinking water under pressure with sufficient capacity for food preparation, utensil cleaning and sanitizing, in accordance with the requirements of these rules and regulations.
B. The water supply tank shall be designed so that it can be flushed and with a drain that permits complete drainage of the tank. The drinking water tank shall have no common interior partition with the tank holding non-potable water or other liquids. The water tank overflow or vent shall terminate in a downward direction and shall be located and constructed so as to prevent the entrance of contaminants.
Code of Colorado Regulations 86 *C. When a mobile retail food establishment or pushcart is equipped with a three-compartment warewashing sink, the water supply shall be sized to adequately fill warewashing sinks at least once every four (4) hours of operation. In addition, the mobile retail food establishment or pushcart must supply three (3) gallons of water to each hand washing sink for each hour of operation. Where other water using fixtures such as toilets, utility sinks, food preparation sinks, coffee, espresso and soft drink machines are provided, the water supply shall be sized in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification for each fixture. *D. The water supply tank for push carts shall have a minimum capacity of at least five (5) gallons. *E. Adequate water pressure must be provided at all fixtures at all times. A minimum flow rate of one (1) gallon per minute or thirty-two (32) ounces per fifteen (15) seconds shall be provided. *F. Water heating systems shall be adequate to fill the warewashing sink with 110°F water without interruptions and to supply hand sinks with three (3) gallons per hour of 100°F water at all times and other hot water using fixtures and equipment with a continuous supply of hot water. Standard tank type heating systems shall be sized in accordance with Section 5-108.
G. The water inlet shall be located so that it will not be contaminated by waste discharge, road dust, oil, or grease, and it shall be kept capped unless being filled. The water inlet shall be provided with a connection of a size or type that will prevent its use for any other service. All water distribution pipes or tubing shall be constructed and installed in accordance with the requirements of these rules and regulations.
*H. When a mobile retail food establishment is connected to a pressurized water supply, it shall be provided with approved backflow prevention devices. This shall include the protection of the water source as well as protection of each individual water service connection. *I. The water supply hose and couplings shall be of a size and type compatible with the water supply tank inlet fixture and shall be free of cracks and checks. Hose couplings shall be constructed to permit a tight connection between the mobile retail food establishment coupling and the water supply hose bib. Hose ends must be capped, connected or otherwise fully protected when not in use. Only food grade hoses shall be used to fill or transfer drinking water to or within a mobile retail food establishment or a pushcart.
*J. Water systems and components shall be disinfected and flushed in accordance with 25-1.5-2, C.R.S., Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations , prior to use, if the mobile retail food establishment or push cart is not in daily use.
9-105 Wastewater Retention *A. A mobile retail food establishment or pushcart that does not meet all the restrictions of section 9-102 of these rules and regulations must provide a waste water retention tank. All liquid waste, except drainage from clean ice made with drinking water, generated by a mobile retail food establishment or pushcart shall be stored in a retention tank that is at least 15 percent larger than the water supply tank. Liquid waste shall be discharged from the retention tank to an approved sewage disposal system and flushed as often as necessary to maintain sanitary conditions. Discharge onto the surface of the ground shall be strictly prohibited. Drainage from uncontaminated ice made with drinking water can be discharged onto the surface of the ground provided it does not create a nuisance.
B. All connections on the vehicle for servicing mobile food unit waste disposal facilities shall be of a different size or type than those used for supplying potable drinking water to the mobile food establishment. The waste water outlet connection shall be located lower than the drinking water inlet connection to prevent contamination of the drinking water system. Code of Colorado Regulations 87 C. Liquid waste discharge piping and the drinking water hose shall not be stored in a manner that may result in contamination.
*9-106 Handwashing Facilities A mobile retail food establishment or pushcart that does not meet all the exemptions of section 9-102 of these rules and regulations must be equipped with a convenient, accessible handsink installed as specified in Section 5-208(J) for employee handwashing. The handsink must be capable of providing a hands-free, continuous flow of 100°F water as specified in Section 9-104(F). Soap and individually dispensed paper towels must also be provided at the hand sink. 9-107 Commissary A. The commissary is considered to be an essential part of the mobile food retail food establishment and push cart operation. The commissary shall be constructed and operated in compliance with the requirements of these rules and regulations. Mobile retail food establishments and pushcarts shall operate from a commissary or other fixed retail food establishment and shall report every 24 hours (on operational days) to that location for supplies, cleaning and servicing operations. The use of the proposed commissary for each mobile retail food establishments or pushcarts shall be submitted and approved by the department. The mobile retail food establishment or push cart shall provide an agreement from the commissary operator to the department each calendar year and upon change of a commissary location.
B. Accommodations for a servicing area shall be available with a drinking water supply for the mobile retail food establishment or push cart. Servicing may include vehicle and equipment cleaning, discharging liquid or solid wastes, refilling water tanks, and restocking of ice bins, and food.
C. When servicing areas are provided as part of the commissary, the floor surfaces of the servicing area shall be constructed of a smooth, nonabsorbent material such as concrete or machine-laid asphalt and shall be maintained in good repair, kept clean, and be graded to drain. The construction of the walls and ceilings of the servicing area is exempt from the provisions of sections 6-201 and 6-202 of these rules and regulations.
D. A self-contained mobile retail food establishment is not required to report to a commissary if: Code of Colorado Regulations 88
E. A mobile retail food establishment is prohibited from acting as a commissary for another retail food establishment.
9-108 Additional Requirements A. Spare tires, tools, and other equipment relating to the mechanical operation of the vehicle shall be stored in a way that does not contaminate food, food equipment, or utensils.
B. Except for service windows, any openable windows and doors must be screened. Service windows must be self-closing.
C. Restroom facilities shall be available to employees at all times that the mobile retail food establishment or pushcart is in operation.
*D. Equipment shall be adequate to maintain potentially hazardous foods (time/temperature control for safety foods) at required temperatures in accordance with Parts 3-5 and 3-6. In addition:
*E. Mobile retail food establishments and pushcarts shall provide enough clean utensils to satisfy the requirements of section 4-407(C).
F. Items for customer self service shall be adequately protected from contamination. CHAPTER 10 TEMPORARY RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS 10-1 TEMPORARY RETAIL FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS Code of Colorado Regulations 89 10-101 General A temporary retail food establishment shall comply with all requirements of these rules and regulations, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
A temporary event vendor application, which shall include a list of food items to be sold, shall be submitted to the Department for each event. The vendor application shall be submitted at least ten (10) working days prior to the event. Approval will be based upon menu, equipment, setup and the ability to protect against public health hazards.
Mobile Retail Food Establishments and Pushcarts operating at temporary events shall operate according to chapter 9 of these rules and regulations.
10-102 Operations *A. Food preparation at the event shall be limited to seasoning, cooking, assembly of pre-prepared foods and service of packaged foods stored at required temperatures. *B. All slicing, chopping, peeling, dicing, shredding and washing of produce shall be done at an approved commissary.
C. Food and food-contact surfaces of equipment shall be protected from contamination by consumers or other sources. Appropriate coverings, packaging, shields, barriers, or other means shall be provided as necessary to prevent contamination.
*D. Equipment shall be maintained and operated per its intended use and design.
E. Equipment shall be located and installed to facilitate cleaning. No grease from grease producing equipment shall discharge onto the ground or into any storm drainage system. 10-103 Commissary A. Temporary Retail Food Establishment vendors shall operate from a commissary approved by the Department and shall provide a commissary agreement to the Department for each event. Vendors with limited menus operating from licensed self-contained mobile units in accordance with section 9-107(D) may be allowed to operate without a commissary.
B. The commissary for vendors operating at an event of more than one (1) day in duration shall be within 30 minutes or 30 miles of the event.
C. All foods, utensils, and single use articles shall be transported from the commissary to the event site in a manner that protects them from contamination. Food product temperature shall be maintained as required in section 3-501.
D. The commissary shall be constructed and operated in compliance with the requirements of these rules and regulations. Temporary retail food establishments shall operate from a commissary or other fixed retail food establishment and shall report at a minimum of every 24 hours (on operational days) to that location for all supplies, all cleaning, advanced food preparation, and servicing operations. The commissary operator, as requested by the Department, shall verify to the Department when the temporary retail food establishment reports to the commissary.
*B. A conveniently located hand washing station shall be provided within the Temporary Retail Food Establishment.
*C. Extra utensils and in-use food contact surfaces (cutting boards, tongs, knives, etc.) shall be provided to allow soiled items to be replaced at a minimum of every four (4) hours. Warewashing of equipment and utensils shall be conducted at an approved facility. Onsite warewashing is prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Department.
D. A sufficient number of smooth, non-absorbent, and easily cleanable work surfaces shall be provided where food is being handled.
E. Coolers and containers used to store food shall be durable, smooth, non-absorbent and easily cleanable. Styrofoam and soft sided coolers are prohibited.
F. A clean trash receptacle shall be provided.
*10-105 Ice Only ice which has been manufactured from drinking water and handled in a sanitary manner shall be used or offered for sale. Ice used as a cooling medium for food storage, beverage containers, food containers or food utensils shall not be used or sold for human consumption. 10-106 Single-Service Articles All temporary retail food establishments shall provide only single-service articles for use by the consumer. *10-107 Water A sufficient quantity of drinking water shall be available for food preparation, wiping cloth solutions, and sanitization of food-contact surfaces. The water supply system hoses, piping, and fixtures shall be fabricated of approved food-contact materials. The water supply system must be installed to preclude the backflow of contaminants into the drinking water supply. 10-108 Wet Storage Packaged food may be stored in direct contact with drinking ice or drinking water if the packaging, wrapping, or container is not subject to entry of water. The storage of food and/or beverage, in undrained ice is prohibited.
*10-109 Waste Code of Colorado Regulations 91 All sewage, including liquid waste, shall be disposed of according to law. Waste water shall not be discharged onto ground or into storm drainage system. Drainage from clean drinking ice may be discharged onto the surface of the ground provided it does not create a nuisance. *10-110 Handwashing A. A minimum of five (5) gallons of drinking water shall be provided for hand washing. The required volume of water will be based upon menu, equipment, and hours of operation. Push button spigots on the water supply containers are not permitted.
B. Soap and dispensed paper towels shall be provided at each hand washing station.
C. A hand washing station that is capable of providing hands-free continuous flowing warm water of adequate pressure shall be provided.
D. A basin that is capable of capturing hand washing waste water and conveying it into a closed waste water container shall be provided.
*10-111 Screening and Enclosures Screening or other provisions may be required to prevent the entrance of pests and debris. *10-112 Grounds Areas within the Temporary Retail Food Establishment shall be free from standing water, mud, dust and fecal material. Additional ground covering material may be required such as removable platforms, duckboards, wood chips or other suitable material.
*10-113 Overhead Protection Overhead protection shall be provided and be made of wood, canvas, or other materials that protect the interior of the establishment from weather, or other contamination. Any grease producing equipment or equipment with open flames shall not be located under overhead protection. CHAPTER 11 COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES 11-1 COMPLIANCE 11-101 General A person shall have a valid retail food establishment license, certificate of license, as defined in section 25-4-1602, C.R.S. and administration and inspection fees pursuant to sections 25-4-1607, C.R.S., to operate a retail food establishment. A person operating a retail food establishment without a valid license, certificate of license or appropriate administration and inspection fees may be prosecuted under sections 16-13-305, 25-4-1609, and 25-14-1610 C.R.S. Only a person who complies with the requirements of these rules and regulations shall be entitled to receive or retain such a license or certificate. Licenses, certificates, or administration and inspection fees are not transferable. When issued, a valid license or certificate shall be posted in every retail food establishment. 11-102 Issuance of License or Certificate of License A. Any person desiring to operate a retail food establishment shall make written application for a license or certificate of license or pay administration and inspections fees using forms provided by the Department. Each application form shall include the name and address of each applicant, the location and type of the proposed retail food establishment, and the signature of each applicant. Code of Colorado Regulations 92 B. Prior to approval of an application for a license or certificate of license, the Department may inspect the proposed retail food establishment to determine compliance with the rules and regulations.
C. The Department shall approve a license or certificate of license for the applicant if its inspection reveals that the proposed retail food establishment complies with the requirements of these rules and regulations.
D. An existing Retail Food Establishment shall be required to obtain a new Retail Food Establishment license when there is a change of ownership that requires a new Colorado Department of Revenue Sales Tax Account Number, or if the physical location of the establishment changes. 11-103 License Renewal The Department may refuse to renew a retail food establishment license or certificate of license for any violation of sections 25-4-1601 et seq., C.R.S., of these rules and regulations, or as otherwise provided by law. This notification shall be presented to license or certificate holders during the last quarter of each calendar year. Denial of a license renewal shall be treated in all respects as a revocation and, hence, procedures for revocation shall be followed. In a case in which the license or certificate holder has made timely and sufficient application for renewal of license, the existing license shall not expire until such application has been finally acted upon by the Department. 11-104 Judicial Review A license or certificate holder adversely affected or aggrieved by a Departmental action may appeal the final action of the Department as provided in section 24 4 106, C.R.S. Suspension or revocation of a license may be reviewed, upon application for an order in the nature of mandamus or otherwise, by any court of general jurisdiction as provided in section 25-4-1609, C.R.S. 11-105 Closure Without Suspension Acting under sections 25 1.5 101(1)(a) and 25-1.5-102(1)(a) & (d), C.R.S., the Department, or its authorized representative, shall have the power and duty to close retail food establishments and forbid the gathering of people therein to protect the public health from the cause of epidemic and communicable diseases. Immediate closure shall be used only when the situation imperatively requires emergency action or the operator has been guilty of deliberate and willful violation that is injurious or creates an imminent public health hazard as defined in Section 1-201(A)(57). 11-106 Injunctive Relief When serious or repeated violations of these rules and regulations have been found, the Department or its authorized agents may abate the nuisance by seeking injunctive relief through judicial means, as provided under section 16 13 308 and 309, C.R.S.
11-2 INSPECTIONS 11-201 Inspection Frequency A. An inspection of a retail food establishment shall be performed at least twice every calendar or fiscal year; or B. The Colorado Retail Food Establishment Risk-Based Inspectional Frequency Methodology Guidance Document may be used as a model for an alternative method for determining inspectional frequency. If this model is modified by an agency, the agency must be able to defend the modifications utilizing the public health risk factors contained in the model. The public health risk factors include: 1) food served, 2) operations, 3) weekly meal volume, and 4) inspectional history Code of Colorado Regulations 93 including critical and non-critical violations. The minimum inspection frequency for an establishment falling in the low risk category is once every two years.
C. Additional inspections may be performed based upon additional assessments of potential risks of foodborne illness including a history of non-compliance with these rules and regulations; the hazards associated with the particular foods being prepared, stored or served; the method and extent of food storage, preparation and service; and the number and demographic characteristics of the consumers.
11-202 Access Agents of the Department, after proper identification, shall be permitted to enter any retail food establishment during business hours and at other times during which activity is evident in accordance with 25-4-1604(1)(e) to determine compliance with these rules and regulations. The agents shall be permitted to examine documents or true copies of documents, excluding prices, that pertain directly to food and supplies purchased, received or used, information pertinent to their HACCP plan, or to persons employed in food and beverage operations when such examination is expected to produce information necessary to protect the public health, enforce these rules and regulations or investigate suspected incidents of foodborne illnesses.
11-203 Report of Inspections Whenever an inspection of a retail food establishment or commissary is made, the findings shall be recorded on an inspection report form. The inspection report form shall summarize the requirements of these rules and regulations. The Department shall document, on the inspection report form, specific factual observations of violative conditions or other deviations from these rules and regulations. Once the inspection has been completed and the inspection report form is finalized, a copy of the completed inspection report form shall be furnished to the person in charge of the establishment. The completed inspection report form is a public document that shall be made available for public disclosure to any person who requests it according to law.
11-204 Correction of Violations A. The inspection report form shall specify a reasonable period of time for the correction of the violations found and correction of the violations shall be accomplished within the period specified, in accordance with the following provisions:
B. The inspection report shall state that failure to comply with any time limits may result in the initiation of administrative or legal regulatory action. An opportunity for appeal of the inspection findings and time limitation will be provided if a written request for an administrative hearing is filed with the Department within thirty (30) days following the date of receipt of inspection. If the request for a Code of Colorado Regulations 94 hearing is received, a hearing shall be held no sooner than twenty (20) days after the operator is notified of the hearing.
C. Whenever a retail food establishment is required under the provisions of these rules and regulations to cease operations, it shall not resume operations until a re inspection determines that conditions responsible for the requirement to cease operations no longer exists. Opportunity for re inspection shall be offered within a reasonable time.
11-205 Inspection Report The format of an inspection form shall be based upon critical and non-critical categories. The following items must be included:
Code of Colorado Regulations 95 Code of Colorado Regulations 96 11-3 CONDEMNATION AND EMBARGO OF FOOD 11-301 General The power and duty to condemn and embargo food that the Department finds probable cause to believe is in violation of section 3-101 of these rules and regulations has been given to the Department under the statutory authority of sections 25 1.5 104(a) and 25 5 406 et. seg., C.R.S. 11-302 Voluntary Condemnation.
When the Department finds food that it has probable cause to believe is in violation of section 3-101 of these rules and regulations, the Department shall bring the fact to the attention of the person in charge and request that the food be voluntarily destroyed. If the person in charge agrees to destroy the suspect Code of Colorado Regulations 97 food, a voluntary condemnation agreement shall be completed and signed. The person in charge shall denature the food under the supervision of the Department. A copy of the voluntary condemnation agreement shall be left with the person in charge.
11-303 Embargo Placement When the Department finds food that it has probable cause to believe is in violation of section 3-101 of these rules and regulations, the Department shall bring the fact to the attention of the person in charge and request that the food be voluntarily destroyed. Should the person in charge refuse to voluntarily destroy the food, the Department shall embargo the remainder of the food. An embargo notice shall be completed and signed. A copy of the embargo notice shall be left with the person in charge. The remainder of the food product shall be set aside for storage in a container sealed with sampling tape to prevent usage. No person shall remove or dispose of such embargoed article by sale or otherwise. 11-304 Embargo Release A. The Department shall complete and sign an embargo release which dictates the subsequent disposition of the product by:
B. A copy of this release shall be given to the person in charge.
C. Neither the Department nor the State shall be held liable for damages because of such embargo. 11-305 Condemnation of Product Should the food be found to be not sound or contaminated with filth and a voluntary destruction cannot be obtained, the Department shall petition the court of jurisdiction for seizure and disposition of the food. 11-4 REVIEW OF PLANS 11-401 Submission of Plans It shall be necessary to submit to the Department detailed plans and specifications of a proposed newly constructed retail food establishment and or the affected areas of any proposed extensively remodeled retail food establishment. Each retail food operator, or person intending to become a retail food operator, shall be responsible for submitting all plans and specifications. Those assisting an operator may submit plans and specifications on the operator's authority. The Department shall be consulted before preparation of plans and specifications. Approval of both plans and specifications is necessary before construction begins. A minimum of two (2) weeks shall be necessary for the Department to review the plans. Any revision of plans shall be submitted to the Department for review and modification or approval. 11-402 Contents of Plans and Specifications Contents of the plans and specifications shall show evidence that the facility complies with applicable portions of these rules and regulations. A plan view scale drawing of the establishment shall be provided. The plans shall include the location of all retail food equipment, plumbing fixtures and connections, ventilation systems, menu and other pertinent information. A dimensional sketch of the entrance, exits, Code of Colorado Regulations 98 streets, roadways and alleys shall also be included. Specifications shall be provided on a form supplied by the Department.
11-403 Contents of a HACCP Plan A. For a food establishment that is required in section 3-506 to have a HACCP plan, the plan and specifications shall indicate:
Whenever plans and specifications are required by section 11 401 of these rules and regulations to be submitted to the Department, the Department shall inspect the retail food establishment prior to its beginning operation to determine compliance with the approved plans and specifications and with the requirements of these rules and regulations. It shall be necessary to arrange for a pre opening inspection fourteen (14) days in advance of the date of the intended inspection. For areas of the state without a Local Health Department, it shall be necessary to arrange for a pre opening inspection twenty one (21) days in advance of the date of the intended inspection. Code of Colorado Regulations 99 11-5 PROCEDURE WHEN INFECTION IS SUSPECTED 11-501 General When the Department has reasonable cause to suspect the possibility of disease transmission from any retail food establishment employee, it may secure a morbidity history of the suspected employee or make any other investigation as necessary and shall take appropriate action. The Department may require any or all of the following measures:
A. The immediate exclusion of the employee from all retail food establishments in accordance with 2- 202;
B. The immediate closing of the retail food establishment concerned until, in the opinion of the Department, no further danger of disease outbreak exists;
C. Restriction of the employee's services to some area of the establishment where there would be no danger of disease transmission in accordance with 2-203;
D. Adequate medical and laboratory examination of the employee and other employees in accordance with 2-203.
11-6 VARIANCE PROCEDURE 11-601 Variance Procedure A. Any retail food establishment may request a variance from any requirement of these rules and regulations when such an establishment believes that the requirement results in an undue economic hardship or when it is believed a standard may not apply to the specific situation.
B. Requests shall be submitted in writing to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and shall include the name and location of the business, the name of the licensee or prospective licensee when applicable, and the section for which a variance is being requested. This request must be accompanied with a recommendation for approval or denial from the health agency of jurisdiction. Evidence of undue economic hardship should include estimates and costs for compliance. If it is believed that a standard may not apply to the specific situation, an explanation shall be included.
C. Any person who requests a variance for the provisions of these regulations shall have the burden of supplying the Department with information that demonstrates the conditions exist which warrant the granting of a variance. All doubts shall be resolved in favor of denial.
D. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment may grant a variance if:
Code of Colorado Regulations 100 E. A variance shall expire upon a change of circumstances from those supporting the variance or upon a change of ownership of the retail food establishment. The approved variance and all associated documentation shall be located at the establishment and made available to the Department when requested.
F. After review and in circumstances where the Department intends to deny a variance, the Department shall refer the request to an advisory panel of three persons, two persons who represent the retail food industry and a representative from a local health department, to make recommendations to the Department.
G. Any retail food establishment for which a variance has been denied may appeal such denial by requesting a hearing which will be held in accordance with section 24-4-105 (15), C.R.S. 11-7 REFERENCE CITATIONS 11-701 General These regulations incorporated by reference (as indicated within) materials originally published elsewhere. Such incorporation does not include later amendments to or editions of the referenced material. The Department maintains certified copies of the complete text of any material incorporated by reference for public inspection during regular business hours and shall provide certified copies of the incorporated material at cost upon request. Information regarding how to obtain or examine the incorporated material is available from the Division Director, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530.
Copies of the incorporated materials have been provided to the State Publications Depository and Distribution Center, and are available for interlibrary loan. Any incorporated material may be examined at any State Publications Depository Library.
11-702 Safe Materials The Colorado Pure Food and Drug Law , the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and applicable regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration used for the determination of material safety in section 1 202(56) of these rules and regulations may be obtained from the Division Director, Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246-1530 and/or the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration.
11-703 Food Protection Act Copies of section 25 4-1601 et seq., C.R.S may be obtained from the Director of the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 11-704 Milk Standards Copies of the Grade A Standards referenced in section 3-305 of these regulations may be obtained from the Director of the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
11-705 Ventilation Requirements Code of Colorado Regulations 101 Copies of the 2006 International Mechanical Code or Local Ventilation Codes referenced in section 4 212 of these rules and regulations may be obtained from the International Conference of Building Officials, 503 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90032 3490 or the Local Building Department of jurisdiction, respectively.
11-706 Code of Federal Regulations Copies of the (2005) Code of Federal Regulations referenced in sections 3-101, 3-312, 3-408, 3-607, 3- 702, 4-202, 4-207, 4-403, 4-404, 5-103, 5-108, 7-105, 7-107, 7-108 may be obtained from the Director, Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC 20408. 11-707 Plumbing Requirements Copies of the 2009 International Plumbing Code or Local Plumbing Codes referenced in sections 5-201, 5 208, and 5-209 may be obtained from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, 20001 Walnut Drive South, Walnut, California, 91789 2825 and/or the Local Building Department of jurisdiction, respectively.
11-708 Administrative Statutes Copies of sections 16 13 305, 306 and 308, C.R.S.; 24-4-106, C.R.S.; 25-1.5-101(1)(a), C.R.S.; 25 1 108 (1)(k), C.R.S.; 25 1 506 (1)(d), C.R.S.; 25-4-401 et seq., C.R.S.; 25 4 1301 et seq., C.R.S.; 25-4-105, C.R.S.; 25-4-1608, C.R.S.; and 25-5-406 (1) and (4) C.R.S., referenced in sections 1-202, 3-305, 3-401, 3-409, 3-410, 3-701, 5-101, 9-104, 11-101, 11-103, 11-104, 11-105, 11-106, 11-301, and 11-601 of these rules and regulations may be obtained from the Director of the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. 11-709 American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Copies of the National Sanitation Foundation Standards for food equipment that are classified for sanitation by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program referenced in section 4-101 of these rules and regulations may be obtained from the Director of the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. APPENDIX A - POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS Potentially hazardous food (PHF/TCS food) is defined in terms of whether or not it requires time/temperature control for safety to limit pathogen growth or toxin formation. The term does not include foods that do not support growth but may contain a pathogenic microorganism or chemical or physical food safety hazard at a level sufficient to cause foodborne illness or injury. The progressive growth of all foodborne pathogens is considered whether slow or rapid. The definition of PHF/TCS food takes into consideration pH, aw, pH and aw interaction, heat treatment, and packaging for a relatively simple determination of whether the food requires time/temperature control for safety. If the food is heat-treated to eliminate vegetative cells, it needs to be addressed differently than a raw product with no, or inadequate, heat treatment. In addition, if the food is packaged after heat treatment to destroy vegetative cells and subsequently packaged to prevent re-contamination, higher ranges of pH and/or aw can be tolerated because remaining spore-forming bacteria are the only microbial hazards of concern. While foods will need to be cooled slightly to prevent condensation inside the package, they must be protected from contamination in an area with limited access and packaged before temperatures drop below 135°F (57°C). In some foods, it is possible that neither the pH value nor the aw value is low enough by itself to control or eliminate pathogen growth; however, the interaction of pH and aw may be able to accomplish it. This is an example of a hurdle technology. Hurdle technology involves several inhibitory factors being used together to control or eliminate pathogen growth, when they would otherwise be ineffective if used alone. When no other inhibitory factors are present and the pH and/or aw Code of Colorado Regulations 102 values are unable to control or eliminate bacterial pathogens which may be present, growth may occur and foodborne outbreaks result. Cut melons, cut tomatoes, and cut leafy greens are examples where intrinsic factors are unable to control bacterial growth once pathogens are exposed to the cellular fluids and nutrients after cutting.
In determining if time/temperature control is required, combination products present their own challenge. A combination product is one in which there are two or more distinct food components and an interface between the two components may have a different property than either of the individual components. A determination must be made about whether the food has distinct components such as pie with meringue topping, focaccia bread, meat salads, or fettuccine alfredo with chicken or whether it has a uniform consistency such as gravies, puddings, or sauces. In these products, the pH at the interface is important in determining if the item is a PHF/TCS food.
A well designed inoculation study or other published scientific research should be used to determine whether a food can be held without time/temperature control when: - process technologies other than heat are applied to destroy foodborne pathogens (e.g., irradiation, high pressure processing, pulsed light, ozonation); - combination products are prepared; or - other extrinsic factors (e.g., packaging/atmospheres) or intrinsic factors (e.g., redox potential, salt content, and antimicrobials) are used to control or eliminate pathogen growth. Before using Tables A and B listed in the definition section under item 79 for "potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food)" in determining whether a food requires time/temperature control for safety (TCS), answers to the following questions should be considered: - Is the intent to hold the food without using time or temperature control? - If the answer is No, no further action is required. The decision tree later in this Appendix is not needed to determine if the item is a PHF/TCS food. - Is the food raw, or is the food heat-treated? - Does the food already require time/temperature control for safety utilizing the definition of "potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food)"? - Does a product history with sound scientific rationale exist indicating a safe history of use? - Is the food processed and packaged so that it no longer requires TCS such as ultra high temperature (UHT) creamers or shelf-stable canned goods? - What is the pH and aw of the food in question using an independent laboratory and Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods of analysis? A food designated as product assessment required (PA), in either table should be considered PHF/TCS Food until further study proves otherwise. The PA means that based on the food's pH and aw and whether it was raw or heat-treated or packaged, it has to be considered PHF until inoculation studies or some other acceptable evidence shows that the food is a PHF/TCS food or not. The Rules and Regulations require a variance request to the regulatory authority with the evidence that the food does not require time/temperature control for safety.
The Rules and Regulations definition designates certain raw plant foods as PHF/TCS food because they have been shown to support the growth of foodborne pathogens in the absence of temperature control Code of Colorado Regulations 103 and to lack intrinsic factors that would inhibit pathogen growth. Unless product assessment shows otherwise, these designations are supported by Tables A and B. For example: For cut cantaloupe (pH 6.2-7.1, aw > 0.99, not heat-treated), fresh sprouts (pH > 6.5, aw > 0.99, not heat- treated), and cut tomatoes (pH 4.23 - 5.04, aw > 0.99, not heat-treated), Table B indicates that they are considered PHF/TCS Foods unless a product assessment shows otherwise. Maintaining these products under the temperature control requirements prescribed in this code for PHF/TCS food will limit the growth of pathogens that may be present in or on the food and may help prevent foodborne illness. If a facility adjusts the pH of a food using vinegar, lemon juice, or citric acid for purposes other than flavor enhancement, a HACCP plan and approval from the department is required under 3-606. A HACCP plan is required whether the food is a PHF/TCS food as in Section 3-606 (A)(3)(a) of these rules and regulations or not a PHF/TCS food, as in Section 3-606(A)(3)(a) of these rules and regulations. A standardized recipe validated by lab testing for pH and aw would be an appropriate part of the approval process with annual (or other frequency as specified by the regulatory authority) samples tested to verify compliance with the conditions of the variance.
Instructions for using the following Decision Tree and Table A and Table B:
1. Does the operator want to hold the food without using time or temperature control?
2. Is the food heat-treated?
3. Is the food treated using some other method?
4. Is it packaged to prevent re-contamination?
Code of Colorado Regulations 104 5. Further product assessment or vendor documentation required.
6. Using the food's known pH and/or aw values, position the food in the appropriate table.
7. Use Table A for foods that are heat-treated and packaged OR use Table B for foods that are not heat-treated or heat-treated but not packaged.
8. Determine if the item is non-PHF/non-TCS or needs further product assessment (PA). Code of Colorado Regulations 105 TABLE A AND TABLE B TABLE A. INTERACTION OF PH AND A FOR CONTROL OF SPORES IN FOOD HEAT-TREATED W TO DESTROY VEGETATIVE CELLS AND SUBSEQUENTLY PACKAGED Code of Colorado Regulations 106 AW VALUES PH VALUES PH VALUES PH VALUES
≤ 0.92 NON-PHF*/NON- NON-PHF/NON-TCS FOOD NON-PHF/NON-TCS FOOD TCS FOOD** > 0.92 - .95 NON-PHF/NON- NON-PHF/NON-TCS FOOD PA*** TCS FOOD > 0.95 NON-PHF/NON- PA PA TCS FOOD * PHF MEANS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ** TCS FOOD MEANS TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD *** PA MEANS PRODUCT ASSESSMENT REQUIRED Code of Colorado Regulations 107 * PHF MEANS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD ** TCS FOOD MEANS TIME/TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY FOOD *** PA MEANS PRODUCT ASSESSMENT REQUIRED The following is a limited list of specific food products that have been classified to be potentially hazardous.
1. Bacon - If it has not been fully cooked.
2. Balutes - Fertile eggs, generally chicken or duck eggs, which are incubated for a period of time shorter than is necessary for hatching. The developing embryo is incubated generally 14 to 18 days and is considered a delicacy by various ethnic populations when eaten raw or cooked.
3. Beans - All types of cooked beans.
4. Whipped Butter - Hazardous because of the apparent reduced microbiological safety factor created by whipping.
Code of Colorado Regulations 108 5. Cheese - Soft unripened cheese. Ripened, low moisture hard cheese such as wheels, flats, blocks or longhorns of cheddar cheese produced from pasteurized milk, when waxed or packaged in "shrink" wrapping with the wax or packaging intact, can be safely shipped or stored for a short period of time without refrigeration but it is not recommended. If wheels, flats, blocks, longhorns, or any other forms of cheese have been damaged, cut and repackaged for display and/or sale, thereby exposing interior surfaces to possible contamination, the cut portions as well as the remaining cheese shall be held under refrigeration.
6. Coffee Creaming Agents - All non-dairy coffee creaming agents in liquid form, except aseptically processed ultra high temperature (UHT) liquid coffee creaming agents.
7. Cut Leafy Greens- Following 24 multi-state outbreaks between 1998 and 2008, cut leafy greens was added to the definition of potentially hazardous food requiring time-temperature control for safety (TCS). The term used in the definition includes a variety of cut lettuces and leafy greens. Raw agricultural commodities (RACs) that are not processed or cut on-site are excluded from the definition of cut leafy greens. Herbs such as cilantro or parsley are also not considered cut leafy greens. The pH, water activity, available moisture and nutrients of cut leafy greens supports the growth of foodborne pathogens and refrigeration at 41°F (5°C) or less inhibits growth and promotes general die off in some pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7. Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes , once attached to the surface or internalized into cut surfaces of leafy greens, are only marginally affected by chemical sanitizers.
8. Cut Tomatoes- Historically, uncooked fruits and vegetables, such as cut tomatoes, have been considered non-PHF unless they were epidemiologically implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks and are capable of supporting the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the absence of temperature control. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that since 1990, at least 12 multi-state foodborne illness outbreaks have been associated with different varieties of tomatoes and additionally, from 1998-2006, outbreaks associated with tomatoes made up 17% of the produce related outbreaks reported to FDA nationwide. Salmonella has been the pathogen of concern most often associated with tomato outbreaks.
9. Eggs - Cooked, cracked, fresh with outer shell removed, peeled hard-boiled eggs, and hard-boiled eggs with intact shells which have been hard-boiled and then cooled in liquid. Refrigeration of raw whole eggs in the shell is required.
10. Garlic - Garlic in oil products.
11. Mayonnaise or Other Acidified Salad Dressings - If the pH is above 4.6 and/or combined with other food products.
12. Onions- Cooked and dehydrated that have been reconstituted.
13. Pasta - All types that have been cooked.
14. Pastries - Meat, cheese and cream filled.
15. Pies - Meat, fish, poultry, natural cream, synthetic cream, custard, pumpkin and pies that are covered with toppings which will support microbial growth.
16. Potatoes - Baked, boiled or fried.
17. Rice - Boiled, steamed, fried, Spanish and cooked rice used in sushi.
18. Sour Cream - If the pH is above 4.6 and/or combined with other food products. Code of Colorado Regulations 109 19. Soy Protein - Tofu and other moist soy protein products.
20. Seed Sprouts - All types.
FOODS WHICH ARE NOT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ARE:
1. Hard-Boiled eggs with shells intact which have been air-dried; and 2. Foods which have been adequately commercially processed and remain in their unopened hermetically sealed container.
APPENDIX B - SAFE MATERIALS COLORADO PURE FOOD AND DRUG LAW Sections 25-5-402 (3) and (12), C.R.S.
APPENDIX C - WORKSHEETS FOR CALCULATING MINIMUM HOT WATER REQUIREMENTS The following worksheet is provided to assist operators in calculating hot water usage and sizing of the water heater system required for the operation.
Code of Colorado Regulations 111 Code of Colorado Regulations 112 Code of Colorado Regulations 113 Code of Colorado Regulations 114 Code of Colorado Regulations 115 Code of Colorado Regulations 116 Code of Colorado Regulations 117 Code of Colorado Regulations 118 APPENDIX D - SPECIFIC USAGE ADDITIVES
173.310 Boiler water additives.
Code of Colorado Regulations 119
Code of Colorado Regulations 120
APPENDIX E - LUBRICANTS 21 CFR Section 178.3570 (2009) Lubricants With Incidental Food Contact Lubricants with incidental food contact may be safely used on machinery used for producing, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food, subject to the provisions of this section.
A. The lubricants are prepared from one or more of the following substances.
Code of Colorado Regulations 122 Code of Colorado Regulations 123 Code of Colorado Regulations 124 Code of Colorado Regulations 125 B. The lubricants are used on food processing equipment as a protective antirust film, as a release agent on gaskets or seals of tank closures, and as a lubricant for machine parts and equipment in locations in which there is exposure of the lubricated part to food. The amount used is the minimum required to accomplish the desired technical effect on the equipment, and the addition to food of any constituent identified in this section does not exceed the limitations prescribed.
C. Any substance employed in the production of the lubricants described in this section that is the subject of a regulation in parts 174, 175, 176, 177, 178 and 179.45 of this chapter conforms with any specification in such regulation.
APPENDIX F - SANITIZERS Refer to 40 CFR § 180.940, (2010) Sanitizing solutions APPENDIX G - HACCP GUIDELINES 1. Introduction to HACCP
Basic prerequisite programs should be in place to:
- Protect products from contamination by biological, chemical, and physical food safety hazards - Control bacterial growth that can result from temperature abuse - Maintain equipment.
Additional information about prerequisite programs and the types of activities usually included in them can be found in the FDA's Retail HACCP manuals discussed later in this Appendix or by accessing the NACMCF guidance document on the FDA Web Page.
2. The HACCP Principles
Parasites are most often animal host-specific, but can include humans in their life cycles. Parasitic infections are commonly associated with undercooking meat products or cross-contamination of ready-to-eat food with raw animal foods, untreated water, or contaminated equipment or utensils. Like viruses, parasites do not grow in food, so control is focused on destroying the parasites and/or preventing their introduction. Adequate cooking destroys parasites. In addition, parasites in fish to be consumed raw or undercooked can also be destroyed by effective freezing techniques. Parasitic contamination by ill employees can be prevented by proper handwashing, no bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food, and implementation of an employee health policy to restrict or exclude ill employees.
Appendix G, Table 1. Selected Biological Hazards Found at Retail, Associated Foods, and Control Measures Hazard Associated Foods Control Measures Bacteria Bacillus Meat, poultry, starchy foods Cooking, cooling, cold cereus(intoxication (rice, potatoes), puddings, holding, hot holding caused by heat stable, soups, cooked vegetables preformed emetic toxin and infection by heat labile, diarrheal toxin)
Bacteria Campylobacter jejuni Poultry, raw milk Cooking, handwashing, prevention of cross- contamination Bacteria Clostridium botulinum Vacuum-packed foods, Thermal processing (time reduced oxygen packaged + pressure), cooling, cold foods, under-processed holding, hot holding, canned foods, garlic-in-oil acidification and drying, mixtures, time/temperature etc.
Parasites Taenia spp. Beef and pork Cooking Parasites Trichinella spiralis Pork, bear, and seal meat Cooking Viruses Hepatitis A and E Shellfish, any food Approved source, no contaminated by infected bare hand contact with worker via fecal-oral route RTE food, minimizing bare hand contact with foods not RTE, employee health policy, handwashing Viruses Other Viruses (Rotavirus, Any food contaminated by No bare hand contact Norovirus, Reovirus) infected worker via fecal-oral with RTE food, route minimizing bare hand contact with foods not RTE, employee health policy, handwashing Code of Colorado Regulations 130 RTE = ready-to-eat PHF = potentially hazardous food (time/temperature control for safety food)
- Crustacean shellfish (such as crab, lobster, or shrimp) - Tree nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- Wheat - Peanuts - Soybeans.
Consumers with food allergies rely heavily on information contained on food labels to avoid food allergens. Each year, FDA receives reports from consumers who have experienced an adverse reaction following exposure to a food allergen. Frequently, these reactions occur either because product labeling does not inform the consumer of the presence of the allergenic ingredient in the food or because of the cross-contact of a food with an allergenic substance not intended as an ingredient of the food during processing and preparation. In August 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 108 282, Title II) was enacted, which defines the term "major food allergen." The definition of "major food allergen" adopted for use in the Food Code (see paragraph 1 201.10(B)) is consistent with the definition in the new law. The following requirements are included in the new law:
- For foods labeled on or after January 1, 2006, food manufacturers must identify in plain language on the label of the food any major food allergen used as an ingredient in the food, including a coloring, flavoring, or incidental additive.
- FDA is to conduct inspections to ensure that food facilities comply with practices to reduce or eliminate cross-contact of a food with any major food allergens that are not intentional ingredients of the food. - Within 18 months of the date of enactment of the new law (i.e., by February 2, 2006), FDA must submit a report to Congress that analyzes the results of its food inspection findings and addresses a number of specific issues related to the production, labeling, and recall of foods that contain an undeclared major food allergen.
- Within 2 years of the date of enactment of the new law (i.e., by August 2, 2006), FDA must issue a proposed rule, and within 4 years of the date of enactment of the new law (i.e., by August 2, 2008), FDA must issue a final rule to define and permit the use of the term "gluten-free" on food labeling.
- FDA is to work in cooperation with the Conference for Food Protection (CFP) to pursue revision of the Food Code to provide guidelines for preparing allergen-free foods in food establishments.
Appendix G, Table 2. Common Chemical Hazards at Retail, Along with Their Associated Foods and Control Measures Code of Colorado Regulations 132 Code of Colorado Regulations 133 Code of Colorado Regulations 134 Code of Colorado Regulations 135 Code of Colorado Regulations 136
Appendix G, Table 3. Main Materials of Concern as Physical Hazards and Common Sources a , b Code of Colorado Regulations 137 Material Injury Potential Sources Glass fixtures Cuts, bleeding; may require surgery to find or Bottles, jars, lights, utensils, remove gauge covers Wood Cuts, infection, choking; may require surgery Fields, pallets, boxes, to remove buildings Stones, metal Choking, broken teeth Cuts, infection; may Fields, buildings, machinery, fragments require surgery to remove wire, employees Insulation Choking; long-term if asbestos Building materials Bone Choking, trauma Fields, improper plant processing Plastic Choking, cuts, infection; may require surgery Fields, plant packaging to remove materials, pallets, employees Personal effects Choking, cuts, broken teeth; may require Employees surgery to remove a Adapted from Corlett (1991).
b Used with permission, "HACCP rinciples and Applications", Pierson and Corlett, Eds. 1992. Chapman & Hall, New York, NY.
3. The Process Approach - A Practical Application of HACCP at Retail to Achieve Active Managerial Control
- Process 2: Preparation for Same Day Service Example flow: Receive - Store – Prepare - Cook – Hold - Serve (other food flows are included in this process, but there is only one trip through the temperature danger zone)
- Process 3: Complex Food Preparation Example flow: Receive - Store - Prepare - Cook – Cool – Reheat – Hot Hold – Serve (other food flows are included in this process, but there are always two or more complete trips through the temperature danger zone)
A summary of the three food preparation processes in terms of number of times through the temperature danger zone can be depicted in a Danger Zone diagram. Although foods produced using process 1 may enter the danger zone, they do not pass all the way through it. Foods that go through the danger zone only once are classified as Same Day Service, while foods that go through more than once are classified as Complex food preparation.
Code of Colorado Regulations 145 The three food preparation processes conducted in retail and food service establishments are not intended to be all-inclusive. For instance, quick service facilities may have "cook and serve" processes specific to their operation. These processes are likely to be different from the "Same Day Service" preparation processes in full service restaurants since many of their foods are generally cooked and hot held before service. In addition, in retail food stores, operational steps such as packaging and assembly may be included in all of the food preparation processes before the product is sold to the consumer. It is also very common for a retail or food service operator to use multiple food preparation processes to create a single menu item.
Code of Colorado Regulations 146
Code of Colorado Regulations 148 All the foods in this category lack a cook step while at the retail or food service facility; thus, there are no complete trips through the danger zone. Purchase specifications can be required by the retail or food service establishment to ensure that foods are received as safe as possible. Without a kill step to destroy pathogens, preventing further contamination by ensuring that employees follow good hygienic practices is an important control measure.
- Receiving temperatures (e.g., certain species of marine finfish due to concerns with scombrotoxin)
- Date marking of ready-to-eat PHF (TCS food) held for more than 24 hours to control the growth of psychrophiles such as Listeria monocytogenes - Freezing certain species of fish intended for raw consumption due to parasite concerns - Cooling from ambient temperature to prevent the outgrowth of spore-forming or toxin- forming bacteria.
Approved food source, proper receiving temperatures, and proper cold holding before cooking would also be important if dealing with certain marine finfish due to concerns with ciguatera toxin and scombrotoxin.
4. FDA Retail HACCP Manuals
Code of Colorado Regulations 150
5. Advantages of the HACCP Principles
6. Summary In order to make a positive impact on foodborne illness, retail and food service operators must achieve active managerial control of the risk factors contributing to foodborne illness. Combined with basic sanitation, employee training, and other prerequisite programs, the principles of HACCP provide an effective system for achieving this objective. The goal in applying HACCP principles in retail and food service is to have the operator take purposeful actions to ensure safe food. The process approach simplifies HACCP principles for use in retail and food service. This practical and effective method of hazard control embodies the concept of active managerial control by providing an on-going system of simple control measures that will reduce the occurrence of risk factors that lead to out-of-control hazards. The role of retail and food service regulatory professionals is to conduct risk-based inspections using HACCP principles to assess the degree of control industry has over the foodborne illness risk factors. Regulators can assist industry in achieving active managerial control of risk factors by using a risk-based inspection approach to identify strengths and weaknesses and suggesting possible solutions and improvements.
7. Acknowledgements Much of this Appendix is adapted from the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Principles and Guidelines, adopted August 14, 1997.
8. Resources and References
Briley and Klaus "Using Risk Assessment as a Method of Determining Inspection Frequency." Dairy and Food Sanitation, December 1985, pp. 468-474. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance for Foodborne Disease Outbreaks – United States, 1993-1997. Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report, #49 (SS01), USPHS, March 17, 2000, pp. 1-51.
Mead, P.S., Slutsker, L., Dietz, V., McCraig, L.F., Bresee, J.S., Shapiro, C., Griffin, P.M., Tauxe, R.V. " Food-related Illness and Death in the United States 9 ." Emerg. Infect. Dis.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF). 1997 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System, USDA - FSIS Information Office, 1997.
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Food (NACMCF). 1992 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System, Int. J. Food Microbiology, 16:1-23. National Food Processors Assoc. "HACCP Implementation: A Generic Model for Chilled Foods." Journal of Food Protection, December, 1993, pp. 1077-1084. President's Council on Food Safety. The Food Safety Strategic Plan, 2001. Ch. 2: Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Action items.
Silliker, John, Ph.D. "Microbiological Testing and HACCP Programs." Dairy, Food and Environmental Sanitation, October 1995, pp. 606-610.
Stier, R.F., and Blumenthal, M.M., Ph.D. "Will HACCP be Carrot or Stick." Dairy,Food and Environmental Sanitation, October 1995, pp. 616 - 620. Tisler, J.M. "The Food and Drug Administration's Perspective on HACCP," Food Technology, June 1991, pp. 125-127.
Tompkin, R.B. "The Use of HACCP in the Production of Meat and Poultry Products." Journal of Food Protection, September 1990, pp. 795-803. Weingold, S.E., et al. "Use of Foodborne Disease Data for HACCP Risk Assessment." Journal of Food Protection, September 1994, pp. 820-830. Code of Colorado Regulations 153
Fennema, O.R. Food Chemistry, 2nd ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1985. Foodborne Diseases, ed. D.O. Cliver, Academic Press, San Diego, California, 1990. HACCP Reference Book, National Restaurant Assoc., The Educational Foundation, Chicago, 1994.
Heymann, David L. MD, (Ed.), 2004. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th Ed., American Public Health Association, Washington D.C. Jay, J.M. Modern Food Microbiology, 4th ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1992. Potter, N.N., J.H. Hotchkiss, 1999. Food Science, 5th ed., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Secaucus, NJ.
Stevenson, K.E., D.T. Bernard, 1999. HACCP: A Systematic Approach to Food Safety, 3rd ed., Food Processors Institute, Washington, DC, 1999.
The Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide 10 . Single copies may be obtained as long as supplies last from FDA district offices and from: U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Seafood 5100 Paint Branch Parkway College Park , MD 20740-3835 Food and Drug Administration/U.S. Public Health Service, 2003. National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish 11 . Code of Colorado Regulations 154 Report of the FDA Retail Food Program Database of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors, 2000. 12 FDA Report on the Occurrence of Foodborne Illness Risk Factors in Selected Institutional Foodservice, Restaurant, and Retail Food Store Facility Types (2004). Code of Colorado Regulations 155 APPENDIX H - RETAIL FOOD STORE SANITATION ACT 25-4-1301. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby declares that the sanitary protection of bulk foods and the sanitary maintenance of equipment used to display and dispense bulk foods are matters of statewide concern and are affected with a public interest and that the provisions of this part 13 are enacted in the exercise of the police powers of this state for the purpose of protecting the health, peace, safety, and general welfare of the people of this state. 25-4-1302. Definitions. As used in this part 13, unless the context otherwise requires:
25-4-1303. Labeling - product modules - take-home containers.
25-4-1305. Bulk food display.
Code of Colorado Regulations 157
25-4-1309. Non-food-contact surfaces. Surfaces of product module display units, tethers, and display equipment which are not intended for food contact but which are exposed to splash, food debris, or other soiling shall be designed and fabricated to be smooth, cleanable, durable under conditions of normal use, and free of unnecessary ledges, projections, and crevices. The materials for non-food-contact surfaces shall be nonabsorbent or made nonabsorbent by being finished and sealed with a cleanable coating.
25-4-1310. Accessibility. Individual product modules shall be designed to be easily removable from a display unit for servicing unless the product modules are so designed and fabricated that they can be effectively cleaned and sanitized when necessary through a manual in-place cleaning procedure that will not contaminate or otherwise adversely affect bulk foods or equipment in any adjoining display areas.
25-4-1311. Equipment sanitization.
Code of Colorado Regulations 158
25-4-1314. Limitation. The provisions of this part 13 shall be expressly limited to retail food store outlets. APPENDIX I - EQUIPMENT INVESTIGATION REPORT Section 4-101 of the Colorado Retail Food Establishment Rules and Regulation specify all equipment, utensils and single-service articles shall be fabricated with safe materials; be of commercial design, that is certified or classified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification program, such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) sanitation standards, Environmental Testing Laboratories, Inc. (ETL) sanitation standards, Baking Industry Sanitation Standards Committee (BISSC), or other comparable design criteria as approved by the Department during a standardized equipment review.
If a retail food establishment intends to have any equipment, utensils and single-service articles approved by the Department, the approval will be based upon submission of the following information to be provided to the local public health agency and/or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for evaluation.
Code of Colorado Regulations 162