The person-in-charge shall ensure that:

1. A. Live crabs received at the plant are stored in a manner that enhances the crab's survival and prevents decomposition;

2. B. Crabs are steamed using a standardized process:

   1. (1) For a heat lethality equivalent to F(235°F) = 1 minute with z = 15°F, which is equivalent to bringing the internal temperature of the crabs instantaneously to 235°F, holding the internal temperature at 235°F for 1 minute, and then instantaneously cooling the crabs; or

   2. (2) Other than the one set forth in §B(1) of this regulation, if the alternative process has been shown through scientific study to provide:

      1. (a) Pathogen lethality; and
      2. (b) Equivalent conformance with the bacteriological standards set forth in Regulation .15 of this chapter;

3. C. The cooling of cooked crabs conforms with the following:

   1. (1) Except as provided in Regulation .10C of this chapter, air cooling of cooked crabs at ambient air temperatures does not exceed more than 4 hours in length;
   2. (2) When cooked crabs are refrigerated before picking, the cooked crabs are placed in refrigeration at 40°F or below after cooling at ambient air temperatures; and

   3. (3) Except as provided in §D of this regulation, cooked crabs are:

      1. (a) Cooled and held before picking with the outer shell in place; and
      2. (b) Backed immediately before picking; and

4. D. In order to provide a cold water rinse to remove sediment, when cooked dredged crabs are backed:

   1. (1) Before refrigeration, the crabs are air cooled, backed, and refrigerated within 4 hours after cooking;

   2. (2) After refrigeration, the crabs are backed, rinsed, and picked and the crab meat packed in:

      1. (a) A continuous process; and
      2. (b) Accordance with Regulation .10B of this chapter; or

   3. (3) With no refrigeration and directly before picking the cooked crabs are cooled, backed, and picked and the crab meat packed in:

      1. (a) A continuous process; and
      2. (b) Accordance with Regulation .10C of this chapter.

Authority: Health-General Article, §§18-102, 21-211, 21-234, 21-304, 21-321, 21-339, 21-340, and 21-350, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 15, 1955

Amended effective September 3, 1957

Regulations .01—.06 amended effective September 14, 1977 (4:19 Md. R. 1468)

Regulation .03C amended and .05-1 adopted effective September 30, 1994 (21:9 Md. R. 751)

Regulations .01—.06 repealed and new Regulations .01—.15 adopted effective August 5, 2002 (29:15 Md. R. 1142)

Regulation .01B amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .02 repealed effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .05B, C amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .07G amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .08C—E amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .09 amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .10 amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .11B amended effective February 15, 2016 (43:3 Md. R. 272)

Regulation .11H, J amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .12 amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .13B, D amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .14 amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .15B, C amended effective February 12, 2018 (45:3 Md. R. 157)

Regulation .15C amended effective February 15, 2016 (43:3 Md. R. 272)

Regulation .15E repealed effective February 15, 2016 (43:3 Md. R. 272)