The person-in-charge shall ensure that:

1. A. Crab meat is repacked only in a licensed picking plant;

2. B. Repacking does not occur except when written approval for the repacking is given by the Department, based on a review of a written proposal plan to repack that complies with this chapter, and includes the:

   1. (1) Information in Regulation .10G of this chapter;
   2. (2) If imported crab meat will be repacked, name of the person responsible for ensuring compliance with §H(7) of this regulation; and
   3. (3) Source of the crab meat;
3. C. Frozen crab meat is not repacked;

4. D. Crab meat that is repacked into a container is:

   1. (1) From a single plant; and
   2. (2) Completely comprised of crab meat that was picked, packed, or pasteurized on the same day;
5. E. Once repacked, crab meat is not repacked again;
6. F. An empty container from which crab meat has been repacked is placed immediately into a waste disposal receptacle and is not kept on the premises for reuse;
7. G. Repacking is done in a sanitary manner in accordance with the provisions of this chapter;

8. H. Crab meat for repacking is:

   1. (1) Processed in a licensed plant operating under a HACCP plan;
   2. (2) Wholesome;
   3. (3) Received in its original container and marked with the date of pasteurization as required in Regulation .14 of this chapter;
   4. (4) Crab meat that meets the bacteriological standards in Regulation .15 of this chapter;
   5. (5) If pasteurized, stored at 40°F or below before repacking;

   6. (6) When fresh:

      1. (a) Repacked within 72 hours of the original pick and pack; and
      2. (b) Stored in ice or held at 40°F or less before repacking; and
   7. (7) When imported crab meat, sampled and tested for Standard Plate Count and Escherichia coli by an accredited laboratory using a composite sample from 5 separate containers and standard methods approved by the Secretary based on the ability of the methods to provide accurate and repeatable results;

9. I. Repacked crab meat not for pasteurization is:

   1. (1) Maintained at 40°F or below during repacking; and
   2. (2) Rapidly cooled after repacking by surrounding the packed crab meat in ice or some other sanitary and effective means;

10. J. Repacked crab meat for pasteurization is:

    1. (1) Maintained at 40°F or below during repacking and in storage before pasteurization;
    2. (2) Pasteurized within 96 hours of the original pick and pack; and
    3. (3) Pasteurized, cooled, and stored in accordance with Regulations .08, .12, and .13 of this chapter; and

11. K. Repack records:

    1. (1) Are maintained to allow crab meat to be traced to the original picking plant;

    2. (2) Include the following information:

       1. (a) The name, address, and plant number of the original picking plant;
       2. (b) The type and quantity of the crab meat that is repacked;
       3. (c) The original pick, pack, or pasteurization date and the repack date; and
       4. (d) Results of the microbiological laboratory testing required in Regulation .11H(7) of this chapter; and
    3. (3) Are available for inspection by the Department for 2 years following the date of repacking.

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)