15A NCAC 18A .3506      SANITATION

Primitive experience camps may conduct cookouts, overnight trips or similar primitive camping activities provided accepted sanitation standards are maintained in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Written procedures regarding sanitation standards shall be posted or made readily available for inspection by the Department. It is the responsibility of the primitive experience camp to ensure that the approved procedures are being practiced, utilized and maintained. Minimum sanitation requirements for Primitive Experience Camps are as follows:

(1)           Off Site Food: Storage, Preparation and Cooking shall meet the following requirements.

(a)           Temperature control, food preparation and food protection methods shall be implemented to ensure all potentially hazardous foods stored and prepared for off-site cooking maintain temperatures of 45 degrees or less or 140 degrees or higher and are protected from contamination. Written procedures describing the specific off site cooking activity and the proposed temperature control methods shall be submitted to the Department for approval. Any proposed changes to current procedures shall be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled activity. Specific approvals will remain valid so long as the activity remains part of the camp program unless the Department determines that procedures are not being maintained in accordance with the approval. The owner may request modifications to the original approval by submitting the request at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled activity. Where potentially hazardous foods are prepared off site, written procedures shall also include methods to prevent cross contamination. For the purpose of off-site food storage coolers with ice or ice packs are considered an approved method of temperature control. Off site potentially hazardous foods once cooked shall be consumed within two hours or discarded. Poultry stuffings, stuffed meats, and stuffings containing meat shall not be used.

(b)           Potentially hazardous foods shall be thawed:

(i)            in cold holding units at a temperature not to exceed 45° F (7°C);

(ii)           under potable running water of a temperature of 70° F (21°C), or below, with sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose food particles into the overflow; or

(iii)          as a part of the conventional cooking process.

(c)           Potentially hazardous foods requiring cooking shall be cooked to heat all parts of the food to a temperature of at least 140° F (60° C) except as follows:

(i)            poultry shall be cooked to at least 165° F (74°C) with no interruption of the cooking process; and

(ii)           pork and any food containing pork shall be cooked to heat all parts of the food to at least 150° F (66° C); and

(iii)          ground beef and foods containing ground beef shall be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 155° F (68° C); and

(iv)          rare roast beef shall be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 130° F (54° C); and

(v)           rare beef steak shall be cooked to a temperature of 130° F (54°C) unless otherwise ordered by the immediate consumer.

(d)           Liquid eggs, uncooked frozen dry eggs and egg products shall be cooked before consumption. This Paragraph does not apply to pasteurized products.

(e)           A food thermometer accurate to +/- 2 degrees F (+/- 1 degree C) shall be available to check food temperatures.

(2)           Off-Site Drinking Water

(a)           Water transported for off site drinking shall be from an approved source and shall be transported and stored in clean, sanitized containers designated solely for this purpose. Where it is not practical to transport drinking water for off site activities, bactericidal treatment measures shall be provided to ensure that drinking water is free from disease causing organisms.

(b)           Water shall be taken from free-flowing streams, springs and wells, however, water may be taken from still sources when free-flowing sources are unavailable. Water to be treated shall be visibly clear and free from debris, trash and organic matter.

(3)           Approved Methods of Bactericidal Treatment of Off-Site Drinking Water

(a)           Boiling: Water shall be brought to a rolling boil for a minimum of 5 minutes.

(b)           Chlorine: A minimum of 2 ppm free chlorine residual must be maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes. This method shall be used in conjunction with Subitem (3)(a) or (d) of this Rule.

(c)           Iodine: A minimum of 5 drops of 2% tincture of iodine per liter of water. For commercially prepared tablets, use per manufacturer's directions. This method shall be used in conjunction with Subitem (3)(a) or (d) of this Rule.

(d)           Filtration: Filter systems shall be capable of removing bacteria, cysts, and viruses. Filters shall have an absolute pore size of one micron or smaller.

(4)           Utensils and Equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(a)           All eating, drinking, and cooking utensils, and other items used in connection with the preparation of food shall be kept clean and in good repair.

(b)           All surfaces intended for multi use between campers or staff with which food or drink comes in contact shall consist of smooth, not readily corrodible, non-toxic materials in which there are no open cracks or joints that will collect food particles, slime, and be kept clean.

(c)           Multi-use drinking and eating utensils intended for individual use shall be constructed of not readily corrodible, non toxic materials. Those multi-use drinking and eating utensils which do not meet all the construction provisions of Subitem (4)(b) of this Rule, shall be used by only one person and not reassigned to or reused by another individual.

(d)           Where multi-use utensils are used, they shall be assigned to one individual and not shared until cleaned and sanitized by approved methods.

(5)           Cleaning of Utensils and Equipment shall meet the following requirements:

(a)           Utensils and equipment shall be kept clean.

(b)           Water used for cleaning shall meet the requirements of Items (2) and (3) of this Rule.

(c)           Where an approved sanitizing process can not be implemented, each individual's multi-use utensils shall be cleaned separately to prevent cross contamination.

(d)           Multi-use utensils may be cleaned together provided they are washed, rinsed, and sanitized by approved methods.

(6)           Handwashing for food preparers shall be in compliance with Rule .3515(c) of this Section.

(7)           Toxic materials shall be labeled and stored to prevent contamination of food, equipment and utensils.

(8)           Where permanent human waste disposal facilities which meet the requirements of 15A NCAC 18A .1900 are not provided at an off site activity, written procedures for waste disposal shall be provided to and approved by the Department. Disposal of human waste shall be in a hole that is at least six inches deep and has a diameter of at least four inches located at least 200 feet from any surface water. After use the hole shall be back filled with a soil to a depth of six inches.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 130A-248;

Eff. June 1, 2004;

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