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(a) Food protection. Food shall be free of and protected against contamination and shall be manufactured, prepared, processed or packed using clean and sanitary utensils and equipment.
(1) Culinary sink. A dedicated single compartment culinary sink shall be provided and used only for washing fruits, vegetables, meats, and aquatic animal foods prior to other preparation. However, where no culinary sink is provided, foods may be washed in (i) a food grade container or colander or (ii) one compartment of a multi-compartment sink. No sink used for washing foods shall be used as a slop, utility or hand washing sink. All sinks used for washing food shall be indirectly wasted, cleaned and sanitized prior to washing food, and between washing raw meats and other foods.
(2) Prevention of cross-contamination. Food that will not be washed or cooked shall be protected from cross-contamination from food which is required to be washed or cooked.
(3) Storage on ice or in water. Packaged food shall not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if packaging allows the entry of water. Unpackaged food may only be in direct contact with ice if stored in a container that drains, except that whole raw fruits, whole or cut vegetables, and tofu, may be immersed in clean and sanitary ice or water held in a container that does not drain.
(4) Washing raw fruits and vegetables. Raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed with potable water before cutting or serving.
(5) Storage of raw chicken and fish. Raw chicken and raw fish that are received in ice in shipping containers may remain in such condition, provided the required cold holding temperature is maintained, while being stored or awaiting preparation, display, service or sale.
(b) Packaging. Food packages, including hermetically sealed containers, shall be in good condition so that food is not exposed to spoilage, filth or other contamination and remains suitable for human consumption. Food packages that are swollen, leaking, rusted or otherwise damaged shall be discarded or returned to their distributor. If such packages are to be returned to their distributor, they shall be segregated from intact packages and clearly labeled "Do Not Use" while stored at the establishment.
(c) Eggs. Only clean, whole eggs with shells intact that are free from cracks or splits; or pasteurized liquid, frozen or dry eggs; or pasteurized dry egg products shall be kept and used. No unpasteurized liquid, frozen or dry eggs shall be kept or used in the establishment.
(d) Food storage. Containers of food shall be stored at least six inches (14.24 centimeters) above the floor, in a refrigerator or dry storage area, or at a greater height if necessary to permit cleaning of the storage area. Potentially hazardous raw foods that are not properly packaged or in sealed containers and that may leak or drip shall not be placed in storage above other foods.
(e) Food display.
(1) Containers. Food shall be displayed only in equipment such as cleanable containers, cabinets, display cases or similar protective equipment that protects such food from contamination.
(2) Protective shields. Self-service equipment shall have protective shields or guards to prevent potential contamination of food.
(3) Quantities to be limited. The quantity of food displayed shall be minimized to that necessary to meet immediate needs.
(f) Condiment storage. Condiments, seasoning, sugar and dressings shall be provided in individual packages, protected dispensers or containers, or in the original container or pour-type dispensers.
(g) Ice for consumption. Ice for consumption shall be dispensed with scoops, tongs or other utensils, or automatic self-service ice-dispensing equipment.
(h) Utensils. Food dispensing utensils equipped with handles must be provided for use by food workers and for self-service in dispensing food and ice. Utensil handles must be of sufficient length to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat potentially hazardous food. Between uses, food dispensing utensils shall be stored in the food with the handles extended so that the handles do not come into contact with food; kept clean and dry on a clean surface; kept in a dipper well with running water at an adequate velocity and volume to remove food residue during intervals between intermittent use; or kept in a container of water maintained at a temperature at or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit and changed at least every four hours and free from accumulated food residue. When stored, all clean and sanitized utensils must be segregated from unclean utensils and equipment to prevent contamination.
(i) Supplies and equipment placement. Supplies and equipment shall not be kept or stored under or near any source of contamination, including but not limited to, exposed or unprotected sewer lines. Equipment, unless easily movable, shall be sealed to the floor or raised on concrete or smooth masonry platforms or elevated on legs to provide at least six inches of clearance between the floor and the equipment.
(j) Bare hand contact prohibited. Food shall be prepared and served without bare hand contact unless the food will be heated to at least the minimum temperature required under 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09. Convenient and suitable utensils, disposable food grade gloves, waxed paper or an equivalent barrier shall be provided and used to prepare or serve food to eliminate bare hand contact and prevent contamination. Gloves must be changed after handling raw foods, performing tasks that do not involve food preparation or processing, handling garbage, or any other work where the gloves may have become soiled or contaminated.
(k) Unpasteurized milk prohibited. Except in accordance with federal and state law, raw unpasteurized milk, or any product made from such milk, shall not be served in any food service establishment.
(l) Re-service of previously served food prohibited. Except for individually wrapped foods, where the wrapper seal has not been broken or opened, food that has been served to the public shall not be re-served.
(m) Animal slaughter prohibited. No live animals, except fresh or saltwater finfish, crustaceans, or mollusks, shall be slaughtered at any food service or non-retail processing establishment. Tanks used to hold live fish or crustaceans intended for human consumption must be regularly cleaned and kept free of dead fish and algae.
(n) Sausages. Sausages may be made at a food service establishment in accordance with 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.06. Sausages made at a food service establishment shall not be sold at wholesale other than at an establishment regulated and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture.
(o) Drinking straws and other single service articles. Single service articles must be manufactured from clean non-toxic materials. Such items shall not be reused and must be discarded after use. Single service articles must be handled, transported, stored and dispensed in a manner that protects the food-contact and mouth-contact surfaces of such articles from contamination. Drinking straws shall not be offered to the consumer unless they are completely enclosed in a wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.
(p) Microwavable plastic containers. Only containers that display one of the following "microwave safe" icons, or the words "microwave-safe," or words to the effect that they are approved for use in microwave ovens shall be used to heat food in a microwave oven.
(q) Non-essential persons restricted. Persons who are not essential to the food establishment operations shall not be allowed in the food preparation, food storage or ware washing areas, except that brief visits and tours may be authorized by the operator if steps are taken to ensure that exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, linens, tableware, and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles are protected against contamination.
(r) Unfit food to be denatured. Food that has become unfit for human consumption shall be promptly denatured, its label defaced and the product marked condemned, and shall be kept separate and apart from foodstuffs that are held or offered for sale. As used in this subdivision, the term "denature" means to treat the food with a substance satisfactory to the Department that alters the appearance or odor of the food such that the denatured food is clearly identified as being inedible.
(Amended City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
(a) Artificial trans fat restricted. No foods containing artificial trans fat, as defined in this section, shall be stored, distributed, held for service, used in preparation of any menu item or served in any food service establishment or by any mobile food unit commissary, as defined in 24 RCNY Health Code § 89.01 or successor provision, except food that is being served directly to patrons in a manufacturer's original sealed package.
(b) Definition. For the purposes of this section, a food shall be deemed to contain artificial trans fat if the food is labeled as, lists as an ingredient, or has vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. However, a food whose nutrition facts label or other documentation from the manufacturer lists the trans fat content of the food as less than 0.5 grams per serving, shall not be deemed to contain artificial trans fat.
(c) Labels required.
(1) Original labels. Food service establishments and mobile food unit commissaries shall maintain on site the original labels for all food products:
(i) that are, or that contain, fats, oils or shortenings, and
(ii) that are, when purchased by such food service establishments or mobile food unit commissaries, required by applicable federal and state law to have labels, and
(iii) that are currently being stored, distributed, held for service, used in preparation of any menu items, or served by the food service establishment, or by the mobile food unit commissary.
(2) Documentation instead of labels. Documentation acceptable to the Department, from the manufacturers of such food products, indicating whether the food products contain vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or indicating trans fat content, may be maintained instead of original labels.
(3) Documentation required when food products are not labeled. If baked goods, or other food products restricted pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section, that are or that contain fats, oils or shortenings, are not required to be labeled when purchased, food service establishments and mobile food commissaries shall obtain and maintain documentation acceptable to the Department, from the manufacturers of the food products, indicating whether the food products contain vegetable shortening, margarine or any kind of partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, or indicating trans fat content.
(a) Holding and storage temperatures. Potentially hazardous food must be stored or held at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) except as follows:
(1) Immediate service. Cooked and refrigerated food prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer order may be served at any temperature.
(2) Eggs. Intact shell eggs must be stored at an ambient temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius) or below.
(3) Processed fish. All processed fish products must be prepared and stored at a temperature that does not exceed 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 degrees Celsius) without interruption until served to the ultimate consumer, provided, however, that:
(A) Processed fish that contains a water phase salt level of at least 17 percent shall not require refrigerated storage; and
(B) Dry salted fish that contains a water phase level of at least 10 percent, salt water activity of less than 0.85 Aw, or a pH of 4.6 or lower, must be held at refrigerated temperatures that do not exceed 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).
(4) Necessary preparation. Foods may be held out of temperature during active necessary preparation. Active necessary preparation of food does not include time food is being heated, cooled, cooked, reheated or stored and requires temperature control.
(5) Time as the sole public health control. When using time alone as a public health control in accordance with 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.10.
(b) Freezing and storage of fish to be served raw, raw marinated or undercooked.
(1) Freezing required. To destroy parasites in fish or fish products that are to be consumed raw, undercooked or raw-marinated, an establishment must either purchase frozen fish or fish products, or freeze fish or fish products prior to service as follows:
Minimum Freezing Temperature | Minimum Storage Temperature | Minimum Freezer Storage Time |
-4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) | -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) | 168 hours (7 days); or |
-31 degrees F (-35 degrees C) | -31 degrees F (-35 degrees C) | 15 hours; or |
-31 degrees F (-35 degrees C) | -4 degrees F (-20 degrees C) | 24 hours. |
(2) Exceptions to freezing requirement. Freezing is not required before serving raw or undercooked:
(A) Molluscan shellfish; or
(B) Tuna of the species Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus albacares (Yellowfin tuna), Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus maccoyii (Bluefin tuna, Southern), Thunnus obesus (Bigeye tuna), Thunnus thynnus (Bluefin tuna, Northern); or
(C) Aquacultured or farm raised fish, such as salmon that are:
(i) Raised in open water in net-pens or in land-based operations such as ponds or tanks, and
(ii) Fed formulated feed, such as pellets, that contains no live parasites infective to the aquacultured fish; or
(D) Fish eggs that have been removed from the skin and rinsed.
(c) Cooking temperatures. All parts of potentially hazardous foods requiring cooking are to be heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) or above for 15 seconds, except as follows:
(1) Poultry. Whole or ground poultry, poultry parts, all food containing poultry, poultry stuffing and poultry stuffing containing meat must be heated so all parts of the food are at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) for 15 seconds with no interruption of the cooking process.
(2) Pork. Pork and food containing pork, other than whole pork roasts, and ground and comminuted pork, must be heated so all parts of the food are at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65.6 degrees Celsius) for 15 seconds, unless otherwise ordered by the consumer.
(3) Whole meat roasts. Roast beef, beef steak, corned beef, lamb roasts, pork and cured pork roasts must be heated to and cooked at the following minimum temperatures for the corresponding time:
Temperature °F (°C) | Cooking Time in Minutes | Temperature °F (°C) | Cooking Time in Minutes |
130 (54.4) | 112 | 138 (58.9) | 18 |
131 (55.0) | 89 | 140 (60.0) | 12 |
133 (56.1) | 56 | 142 (61.1) | 8 |
135 (57.2) | 36 | 144 (62.2) | 5 |
136 (57.8) | 28 | 145 (62.8) | 4 |
(4) Ground and comminuted meat. Ground meats and comminuted meat products, other than poultry, and food containing ground meat must be heated so that all parts of the food are at least 158 degrees Fahrenheit (69.4 degrees Celsius) with no interruption of the cooking process, unless otherwise ordered by the consumer.
(5) Stuffings and mechanically tenderized and injected meats. Stuffed meats, stuffed fish, stuffed ratites and stuffing containing ratites and fish, must be heated to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) with no interruption of the cooking process, unless otherwise ordered by the consumer. Meats whose exterior surface has been mechanically tenderized or injected by breaking, puncturing, or scoring must be heated to a temperature of at least 155 degrees Fahrenheit (68 degrees Celsius.
(6) Shell eggs and egg products. Unpasteurized raw eggs or foods containing unpasteurized raw shell eggs, including but not limited to, drinks, condiments, dressings, desserts and sauces, must be heated to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (62.8 degrees Celsius) or greater for 15 seconds, unless the consumer requests preparation of shell eggs in a style such as raw, poached or fried which in order to comply with the request must be prepared at a temperature less than 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
(7) Microwaving. Raw animal foods cooked in a microwave oven must be covered during cooking; rotated or stirred during cooking to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius); and allowed to stand covered for 2 minutes after cooking.
(8) Advisory for raw, undercooked foods. When menu items containing raw or undercooked eggs, meat, fish or other potentially hazardous foods including but not limited to steak tartare, rare duck breasts, uncooked dessert mousse, Caesar salad dressing, sashimi, and ceviche or any other raw or undercooked seafood, are served, the consumer advisory required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.11 must be provided.
(d) Reheating previously cooked food. Potentially hazardous food that is cooked, cooled and reheated for hot holding must be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) for 15 seconds. The minimum temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) must be reached within 2 hours of commencing reheating. Reheated food must be held at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) until served.
(1) Microwave reheating. Food reheated in a microwave oven must be covered during heating; food must be rotated or stirred during heating, or otherwise manipulated according to label instructions, if provided, and must be reheated to a temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.9 degrees Celsius) and allowed to stand covered for 2 minutes after reheating.
(2) Heating commercially processed foods. Commercially processed pre-cooked potentially hazardous food in hermetically sealed containers and precooked potentially hazardous food in intact packages from non-retail food processing establishments must be heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) within 2 hours of removal from container or package and held at such temperature until served.
(e) Cooling.
(1) After cooking or removal from hot holding. Foods removed from cooking or hot holding that require refrigeration must be rapidly cooled from 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius) within 2 hours and from 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius) to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) within 4 hours after cooking or removal from hot holding by placing containers of food in an ice bath, a rapid chill unit or adding ice to the food, and
(A) Placing the food in shallow pans or containers (less than 4 inches in height); and/or
(B) Dividing foods into smaller or thinner pieces or portions; and/or
(C) Using containers made of materials that facilitate heat transfer; and/or
(D) Stirring foods that are liquids or semi-liquid, and
(E) Arranging containers in cooling equipment to provide maximum heat transfer through container walls, not stacking or nesting; and
(F) Keeping containers loosely covered, or uncovered if protected from overhead contamination during the cooling period, to facilitate heat transfer from the surface of the food.
(2) Other cooling. Potentially hazardous foods removed from cold holding or prepared from or combined with ingredients at room temperatures must be cooled to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or below within 4 hours of preparation using cooling methods described in paragraph (1) of this subdivision.
(f) Thawing frozen foods. Potentially hazardous food must be thawed as follows:
(1) In refrigerated facilities at a temperature not to exceed 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius); or
(2) Completely submerged under potable running water at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius) or below, with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles into the overflow; or
(3) In a microwave oven when the food will be immediately transferred to other conventional cooking equipment as part of a continuous cooking process, or when the entire uninterrupted cooking process takes place in the microwave oven; or
(4) As part of the conventional cooking process, without interruption.
(5) Whole frozen poultry, other than a single portion intended for service to an individual consumer, must be completely thawed prior to conventional cooking; a single portion may be thawed during the cooking process.
(g) Thermometers and other temperature measuring devices. Establishments must provide devices such as thermometers and thermocouples to measure internal temperatures of potentially hazardous foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, hot holding and cold holding. Such devices must be properly calibrated to plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius), made from food grade materials that will not expose food to contamination and be kept readily accessible in the establishment's food preparation and hot and cold holding areas.
(Amended City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
(a) Use of time controls. Food service establishments may use time as the sole public health control, rather than using time in conjunction with temperature, for holding potentially hazardous foods, only in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such foods shall not be returned to temperature control at any time with the intent to extend their use.
(1) Initial temperatures. Potentially hazardous foods shall be at an initial temperature at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) when removed from cold holding temperature control, or at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) when removed from hot holding temperature control.
(2) After cold holding. Ready-to-eat foods and other potentially hazardous foods removed from cold holding temperatures may be kept for a maximum of six hours without further temperature control provided that at four hours the food has not reached or exceeded an internal temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). If such food has reached or exceeded an internal temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) it shall be discarded immediately.
(3) After hot holding. Potentially hazardous foods removed from required hot holding temperatures may be held at ambient temperatures for no more than four hours after removal from temperature control.
(4) Tomatoes. Time as a public health control may be used when slicing whole tomatoes previously held at ambient temperature, and the sliced tomatoes may be held for no more than four hours, and then discarded if not used or consumed.
(5) Holding limits. Food shall not be held out of temperature control any longer than provided in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this subdivision and must, by when the respective allowable period of time has passed, either be discarded or served.
(b) Labeling. All foods removed from temperature control in accordance with this section shall be labeled or marked as follows:
(1) Four hour labeling. Food to be held for up to four hours shall be labeled or marked at the time it is removed from temperature control with the date and time of removal, temperature at time of removal, and the discard time, four hours after removal from temperature control, when such food shall be discarded if not served.
(2) Six hour labeling. Food to be held for up to six hours shall be labeled or marked at the time it is removed from cold temperature control with the date and time of removal, temperature at time of removal, the time and temperature, measured four hours after removal from temperature control, and the time, six hours after removal from temperature control, when such food shall be discarded if not served.
(3) Labels to be kept. Labels or marked containers shall be legibly marked and labels and markings must be kept on food containers until foods have been served or discarded.
(c) Limits on use of time as a public health control. Time shall not be used as the sole means of public health control, and 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09 shall remain applicable as follows:
(1) Holding raw eggs prior to using such eggs in food prepared for (i) persons who may be at higher risk for food-borne illnesses, such as immunocompromised persons including residents or clients of senior centers, charitable feeding programs, adult day care programs, custodial care and health care facilities, and assisted living programs; (ii) infants and children attending summer camps, child day care and pre-school programs; and (iii) pupils in primary and secondary schools.
(2) Preparation and holding of potentially hazardous foods sold by or in (i) mobile food vending units; (ii) food vending machines; (iii) temporary food service establishments operating in accordance with 24 RCNY Health Code Article 88; or (iv) self-service salad bars or buffets.
(3) Preparation and holding of potentially hazardous foods consisting of smoked or vacuum-packed food products.
(d) Violations.
(1) 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09 violations. An establishment shall be in violation of 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09 if the Department finds that, while using time as a public health control, the establishment (i) has not discarded food after the times specified in this section; or (ii) has not labeled or marked food as specified in this section.
(2) 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.07 violations. Food shall be deemed contaminated and an establishment shall be in violation of 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.07(a) if the Department finds that while using time as a public health control, (i) cold potentially hazardous foods labeled for six hour holding are measured at or above temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) after removal from cold temperature control or (ii) food is returned to temperature control instead of being discarded.
§ 81.10 Table 1. Summary of procedures for using time as a public health control.
Summary of Procedures for Using Time as a Public Health Control | ||||
Removal From: | Maximum Time out of Holding Temperature | When to Measure Temperature | What to Note on Required Labels | When to Discard |
Cold holding at or below 41°F (5°C) | 6 hours | When removed from cold holding, and, at 4 hours after removal | • The date, time and temperature when removed from cold holding, and, • The time and temperature 4 hours after removal, and • The time to discard, serve, or cook | If temperature is over 70°F (21° C) at 4 hours after removal or if not served within 6 hours |
Hot holding at or above 140° F (60° C) | 4 hours | When removed from hot holding | • The date, time and temperature when removed from hot holding, and, • The time 4 hours after removed from hot holding. This is the time when the food must be cooked, served, or discarded | If not served within 4 hours |
(Amended City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
(a) Written consumer advisory. Effective January 1, 2016, when meat, fish, molluscan shellfish, or unpasteurized raw shell eggs are offered alone or as an ingredient in other foods, and are either raw or heated to a temperature below that required by this Code, written notice must be provided to consumers of the increased risk of food borne illness from eating such raw or undercooked foods.
(1) The statement "Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness" must appear on menus, menu boards, brochures, signage, food labels, table tents, or placards, with either:
(A) A description or identification of the specific foods being served raw or undercooked, such as "oysters on the half shell (raw oysters)," or "raw-egg Caesar salad dressing," as applicable; or
(B) Noted by an asterisk or other mark next to the listed food item on a menu or menu board with a footnote that references the statement in paragraph (1) of this subdivision.
(C) Prior to January 1, 2016, an establishment must warn of the increased risk for foodborne illness when serving raw or undercooked foods. Such warning may be given orally and need not be in writing.
(b) Limitations on service. Raw or undercooked meat, eggs, fish or molluscan shellfish, either alone, or as an ingredient in other menu items shall not be served in facilities that primarily serve persons who may be at a higher risk for food borne illnesses. Such facilities include those serving immunocompromised persons, senior centers, charitable feeding programs, custodial care facilities, hospitals and health care facilities, as defined in Article 28 of the Public Health Law or successor law; adult day care and assisted living programs; child care, children's camps and preschool programs; and elementary and secondary schools.
(Added City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
(a) Scope and applicability. A food service establishment may package and process food using reduced oxygen packaging ("ROP"), as defined in 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.03, in accordance with this section, provided that the food being processed shall have at least two controls in place, including but not limited to time, temperature, Aw or pH, to prevent the growth and formation of C. botulinum or Listeria monocytogenes.
(b) Approved Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan required. A food service establishment shall not utilize ROP processes without obtaining prior Department approval of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan. The establishment shall submit to the Department its HACCP plan that conforms to 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.06(c) for each food item or food category it intends to prepare using a ROP processing technique.
(c) On-site preparation, consumption, sale and distribution. Foods processed by ROP shall be prepared and consumed on the premises of the food service establishment, or off premises if the preparation site is properly permitted and wholly owned and operated by the same business entity as the food service establishment, and no ROP food products shall be sold or distributed to any other business entities or consumers.
(d) Specific requirements. Foods shall be:
(1) Placed in an ROP package or ROP bag before cooking, or placed in a package or bag immediately after cooking and before reaching an internal temperature below 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius).
(2) Cooked immediately to require minimum internal temperatures specified in 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09 or held at a specified temperature and time approved by the Department in the HACCP Plan. However, if such food has an Aw of 0.91 or less; has a pH of 4.6 or less; is a meat or poultry product cured at a food processing plant regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture using substances specified in 9 C.F.R. § 424.21, or successor regulation, and is received in an intact package; or is a food with high level of competing organisms such as raw meat or raw poultry, it may be held at 38 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees Celsius) without being cooked for no more than 14 calendar days, and shall be discarded thereafter.
(3) Protected from contamination after cooking as specified in 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.07.
(4) Cooled so that every part of the ROP package is reduced from 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius) within two (2) hours and to 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or below within four (4) additional hours and subsequently:
(i) Cooled to 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) within 48 hours of reaching 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) and held at that temperature until consumed or discarded within 30 days after the date of packaging;
(ii) Cooled to 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) within 48 hours of reaching 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius), removed from refrigeration equipment that maintains a 34 degree Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) food temperature and then held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or less for no more than 72 hours, at which time the food shall be consumed or discarded;
(iii) Cooled to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) or less within 24 hours of reaching 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) and held there for no more than 72 hours from packaging, at which time the food shall be consumed or discarded; or
(iv) Held frozen with no shelf life restriction while frozen until consumed or used.
(5) Held in a refrigeration unit that is equipped with an electronic system that continuously monitors time and temperature and is visually examined for proper operation twice daily.
(6) Labeled with the product name, date packed, and dates to be discarded, and stored in accordance with a "First-in" "First out" storage rotation procedure, in accordance with the HACCP plan.
(e) Aquatic animals. Except for aquatic animals that are frozen before, during, and after packaging, a food establishment may not package aquatic animals using an ROP method.
(f) Cheese. A food service establishment may package cheese using an ROP method provided that it limits the cheeses packaged to those commercially manufactured in a food processing plant with no ingredients added by the food establishment, and provided the cheese meets the United States Food and Drug Administration standards of identity specified in 21 C.F.R. § 133.150 ("Hard cheeses"); 21 C.F.R. § 133.169 ("Pasteurized process cheese"); and 21 C.F.R. § 133.187 ("Semisoft cheeses"), or successor regulations. The "use by" date of cheese shall not exceed 30 days after packaging, or the original manufacturer's "sell by" or "use by" date, whichever occurs first.
(g) Equipment. All equipment used in ROP processing shall be approved by the Department and shall comply with all specifications for equipment in this Article, and the following additional criteria:
(1) Thermometers used in cook chill or sous vide cooking methods shall be food grade thermocouple type, equipped with probe, with a temperature range of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius) to 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), and shall not contain glass or any parts that can easily fall into food. Thermometers shall be calibrated before each batch process, and at other times in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and whenever calibration could have been compromised by extreme temperatures or after being accidentally dropped.
(2) ROP products that are transported off site to a satellite location of the same business entity shall be kept in containers equipped with verifiable monitoring devices enabling monitoring of time and temperature and kept at temperatures no higher than 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3.3 Celsius) during transportation. Such products or containers shall be labeled with the product name, date packaged, and discard date.
(3) Sous vide processed foods shall be cooked in an approved water immersion unit or combination oven (an oven combining convection and added moisture) that can be equipped with an electronic system that continuously monitors time and temperature, and is visually examined for proper operation twice daily. At least one item of each type of food of similar size cooked in a water immersion or combination oven shall have its internal temperature monitored to determine if the food is being cooked to the temperatures required by 24 RCNY Health Code § 81.09.
(4) Sous vide cooking equipment shall include a thermal bath and immersion circulator or a combination oven. The thermal bath and immersion circulator shall be a commercial type able to heat water to precise temperatures. The immersion circulator or combination oven shall be equipped with a temperature controller, temperature sensor, heater, and circulating element, and continuous temperature recorder and display accurate to one tenth of a degrees, capable of recording temperatures between 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius), and large enough to enable complete immersion of the largest piece of food.
(5) ROP processors shall utilize a chamber type vacuum packaging machine with a pump able to achieve a flow rate of 10m3 per hour and capable of heat sealing the food storage bag to maintain the vacuum, or other commercial grade vacuum packaging equipment as approved by the Department in the establishment's HACCP plan or as determined on inspection.
(6) Cook chill processors shall utilize an ice bath or a NSF approved blast or tumble chiller that can lower temperatures of food from 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) to 32 - 38 degrees Fahrenheit (0 - 3.3 degrees Celsius) within two hours, and is equipped with a factory installed temperature monitoring device and alarm system. If a tumble chiller is used, the associated ice builder must meet the sanitary requirements of this Article.
(7) Cook chill processors shall utilize a commercial type stainless steel NSF approved cook tank or steam kettle with an agitation mechanism, and factory installed temperature monitoring devices, or other cooking equipment approved by the Department in the establishment's HACCP plan or as determined on inspection.
(8) All cook chill bags (casings) shall be made of food grade plastic, able to withstand temperatures of 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-28.8 degrees Celsius) and rapid temperature change from 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) to 34 degrees Fahrenheit or below (1 degree Celsius).
(Amended City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
All food workers shall use hygienic practices and maintain personal cleanliness.
(a) Work restriction. No person shall work or shall be knowingly or negligently permitted to work in a food service establishment while afflicted with a boil or infected wound and unless he or she is free from acute, infectious diarrhea, amebiasis, cholera, cryptosporidiosis, diphtheria, E. coli 0157:H7, giardiasis, hepatitis A, poliomyelitis, salmonellosis, shigellosis, streptococcal sore throat (including scarlet fever), superficial staphylococcal infection, tuberculosis, typhoid, or yersiniosis and is not a carrier of organisms causing the above conditions or other disease listed in 24 RCNY Health Code § 11.03 in a communicable form and unless the period of isolation or exclusion prescribed by 24 RCNY Health Code Article 11 has ended.
(b) Hair restraints. Food workers shall wear caps, hats, hair nets or other hair coverings to effectively keep hair from contaminating food or food contact surfaces. This requirement shall not apply to counter staff, bartenders, baristas, hosts or wait staff when they are preparing or serving beverages or serving food.
(c) Clothing. All food workers shall wear clean, washable outer garments when starting work and shall replace such garments with clean clothing as often as necessary thereafter to prevent contamination of food or food contact surfaces from soiled or contaminated clothing.
(d) Hand washing. Food workers and other employees shall wash hands and exposed areas of arms thoroughly with soap and water before starting work and as often as necessary to remove soil and any substance that might lead to contamination. Thereafter, hands shall be washed thoroughly after using the toilet, smoking or using electronic cigarettes, sneezing, coughing, eating, drinking or when otherwise soiling hands before returning to work. When gloves are used as a barrier to protect ready-to-eat food from bare hand contact, hands shall be washed before gloves are put on.
(e) Fingernails. Food workers shall keep their fingernails trimmed, filed, and maintained so the edges and surfaces are cleanable and not rough, and unless wearing intact gloves in good repair, shall not wear fingernail polish or artificial fingernails when working with exposed food.
(f) Jewelry. Except for medical alert bracelets or a ring that is smooth and without crevices, such as a wedding band, food workers may not wear jewelry on their arms or hands.
(g) Smoking. Food workers shall not smoke any substance, use tobacco in any form or use electronic cigarettes in any indoor or outdoor area of the premises used by a food service establishment.
(h) Eating and drinking. Food workers shall not eat or drink in food preparation or other areas where food, equipment, and utensils may be exposed to contamination, except that a food worker may drink from beverages in closed containers.
(i) No spitting allowed. Spitting anywhere in the establishment is prohibited.
(Amended City Record 7/9/2015, eff. 8/8/2015)
(a) Food protection certificate required. No person who is charged with the management or supervision of the operations of a food service establishment or non-retail food processing establishment shall engage or be employed in such capacity unless he or she obtains a certificate issued by the Department subsequent to successful completion of a course in food protection, and passage of an examination administered by the Department. No person required to have a license issued pursuant to 24 RCNY Health Code § 89.03(b) shall be issued such license unless he or she obtains such a certificate. A person holding such certificate shall be on the premises and shall supervise all food preparation activities during all hours of operation.
(b) Certificate available for inspection. Such certificate shall be available for inspection at all times by the Department.
(c) Courses to be provided or approved by the Department. The Department may conduct such food protection courses, or any part thereof, or approve courses conducted by others. Persons electing to enroll in such courses conducted by the Department may be charged a reasonable fee to defray all or part of the costs incurred by the Department for course registration, materials, training, testing and certificate issuance. Persons who supervise food service operations for a religious, fraternal or charitable organization that is open to the public for the purpose of providing food to the needy, free of charge will not be charged a fee for a food protection course conducted by the Department.
(d) Additional food protection certificate holders; retaking courses. In addition to the manager or supervisor of food operations, the Department may require the permittee, any persons supervising one or more specific food operations or the current holder of a food protection certificate in any food service establishment to complete a course when the Department finds imminent health hazards, or a food borne illness outbreak implicates food prepared or processed under the supervision of such person, or when the Department determines that such a course is necessary to acquaint a supervisor with current developments in food protection principles, or when otherwise deemed necessary by the Department for the protection of the public.
(e) Photographs required. Two (2) full-face photographs shall be taken by the Department when an applicant registers for such course or applies for such certificate. One photograph shall be affixed to the certificate of completion and the other maintained in the records of the Department.
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