15A NCAC 18A .1522      FOOD PROTECTION

(a)  All food, while being stored, prepared, served, and during transportation, shall be protected from contamination. All perishable food shall be stored at such temperatures as will protect against spoilage. All potentially hazardous food shall be maintained at safe temperatures (45° F. or below, or 140° F. or above) except during necessary periods of preparation and serving. Ground beef and foods containing ground beef shall be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 155° F (68° C). Potentially hazardous foods that have been cooked and then refrigerated shall be reheated rapidly to 165° F (74° C) or higher throughout before being served or before being placed in a hot food storage facility, except that food in intact packages from regulated food manufacturing plants may initially be reheated to 140° F (60° C). Raw fruits and vegetables shall be washed thoroughly before use. Stuffings, poultry, stuffed meats and poultry, and pork and pork products shall be thoroughly cooked before being served. Salads made of meat, poultry, potatoes, fish, shellfish, or eggs, and other potentially hazardous prepared food shall be prepared, preferably from chilled products, with a minimum of manual contact, and on surfaces and with utensils which are clean and which, prior to use, have been sanitized. Individual portions of food once served shall not be served again.

(b)  No live animals or fowl shall be allowed in any room or area in which food is prepared, served, or stored.

(c)  Refrigeration facilities, hot food storage facilities, and effective insulated facilities, shall be provided as needed to assure the maintenance of all food at required temperatures during storage, preparation, and serving.

(d)  Each cold‑storage facility used for the storage of perishable food in a non‑frozen state shall be provided with an indicating thermometer of such type and so situated that the thermometer can be easily read.

(e)  Containers of food shall be stored above the floor, on clean racks, dollies, slatted shelves, or other clean surfaces, in such a manner as to be protected from splash and other contamination.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 153A‑226;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. December 5, 1977;

Amended Eff. October 1, 1993;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 20, 2019.