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Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Last Updated: June 14,2023) |
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Title22 Agriculture. Domestic Animals |
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SubTitle22-324-1_22-324-11. Control of Avian Disease |
| Sec. 22-324-1. Definitions |
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Clinical evidence. Evidence, such as decreased feed and water consumption, depression, unusual movements or position, increased mortality, hemorrhage beneath the skin on the lower legs and feet, severe decrease in egg production; post-mortum lesion; and history of the disease occurrence in the flock. Commissioner. The Commissioner of Agriculture or his duly authorized representative. Director of the Task Force. The Commissioner or Department of Agriculture official designated by the Commissioner to supervise and perform the disease control and eradication work of the Task Force. Exposed poultry. Poultry which through the movement of poultry, individuals, feed, or other vectors has been determined by a Federal or State inspector to have had contact, directly or indirectly, with highly pathogenic avian influenza. State inspector. An inspector of the Department of Agriculture, Department of Consumer Protection, or Department of Environmental Protection responsible for the performance of the function involved. Federal inspector. An inspector of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Marketing Service, or the Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, responsible for the performance of the function involved. Highly pathogenic avian influenza. A disease of poultry caused by any influenza virus Type A that results in not less than 75 percent mortality within eight days in at least eight healthy susceptible chickens, 4-8 weeks old, inoculated by the intramuscular, intravenous, or caudal airsac route with bacteria-free infectious allantoic or cell culture fluids and using standard laboratory operating procedures to assure specificity Infected poultry. Poultry determined by the Director of the Task Force, in such person's judgment, as being infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza on the basis of clinical evidence, epidemiological evidence,1 or diagnostic tests.2 Movement. Shipped, transported, delivered or received for movement by any person. Permit. Pursuant to this section of these regulations, an official document issued by a State or Federal inspector for movement of a restricted article. Person. Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, joint venture or any other legal entity. Poultry. Chickens, ducks, geese, swans, turkeys, pigeons, doves, pheasants, grouse, partridges, quail, guinea fowl, and pea fowl. Task Force. Special force of Federal and/or State personnel designated by the Commissioner to control and eradicate highly pathogenic avian influenza. Veterinary Services. The Veterinary Services unit of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection service, United States Department of Agriculture. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-2. Intrastate movement of infected or exposed live poultry or materials |
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(a) No live poultry infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or other contagious poultry disease shall be moved intrastate. (b) No carcasses or parts thereof from poultry infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or other contagious poultry diseases, no manure from such poultry and no litter which has been used by such poultry shall be moved intrastate unless heated throughout to at least 160°F (71°C) or unless moved intrastate from a quarantined area for incineration, rendering, or burial in a landfill in accordance with Section 22-324-8 of these regulations. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-3. Contaminated means of conveyance, premises, containers, and other accessories; not to be used for movement of poultry until cleaned and disinfected |
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No means of conveyance or premises which have contained any poultry which have been found infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza or other contagious poultry diseases, and no coops, containers, troughs, or other accessories used in the handling of such infected poultry, shall be used in connection with the movement of poultry until the said means of conveyance, premises, coops, containers, trough, or other accessories have been cleaned and disinfected under supervision of a Federal or State inspector with a permitted disinfectant, as provided in §§ 71.4, 71.6, 71.7, 71.10, and 71.11 of 9-CFR: or with three percent solution cresol compound, U.S.P. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-4. Quarantined areas |
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Quarantined areas are those areas so designated by the Commissioner. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-5. Prohibited articles |
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(a) The following are designated as prohibited articles: (1) Live Poultry; (2) Manure from poultry; (3) Litter that has been used by poultry, and (4) Hatching eggs. (b) A prohibited article shall not be moved from a quarantined area. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-6. Restricted articles |
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(a) The following are designated as restricted articles: (1) Poultry carcasses or parts thereof, (2) Eggs from poultry used for food, (3) coops, containers, troughs, or other accessories that have been used in the handling of poultry or poultry eggs. (b) A restricted article shall not be moved without a permit from a quarantined area except in accordance with the provisions in Sections 22-324-6 through 22-324-9 of these regulations. (c) Poultry carcasses or parts thereof may be moved from a quarantined area: (1) If from a poultry flock inspected by a Federal or State inspector prior to movement for slaughter and not found to have clinical evidence of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and if from poultry slaughtered at a federally inspected slaughtering establishment; (2) If heated throughout to at least 160°F (71°C); or (3) If moved under the supervision of State or Federal inspectors for incineration, rendering, or burial in a landfill (the incinerator, rendering facility, or landfill must have equipment and use procedures that are determined by the Commissioner to be adequate to prevent the dissemination of highly pathogenic avian influenza and must comply with the applicable laws for environmental protection). (d) Poultry eggs for use as food which are from poultry not found infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza may be moved from a quarantined area pursuant to a permit if prior to movement they are washed free of adhering material and rinsed with warm water containing not less than 50 p/m nor more than 200 p/m of available chlorine or its equivalent, and if moved in unused flats and cases, or in plastic flats and cases washed free of adhering material since last use and rinsed with warm water containing not less than 50 p/m of available chlorine or its equivalent. Pursuant to a permit, poultry eggs for use as food which were laid outside of a quarantined area and which were subsequently moved into a quarantined area to an egg processing (cleaning, sanitizing, and repackaging) plant may then be moved from the egg processing plant if prior to the movement such eggs are washed free of adhering material and rinsed with warm water containing not less than 50 p/m nor more than 200 p/m of available chlorine or its equivalent, if such eggs are moved in new cartons for retail sale, and if the operator of the egg processing plant is operating under a compliance agreement whereby the operator of the processing plant agrees to comply with the provisions of this part. (e) Any poultry eggs may be moved from a quarantined area under the supervision of a State or Federal inspector for incineration, rendering, or burial in a landfill (the incinerator, rendering facility, or landfill must have equipment and use procedures that are determined by the Commissioner to be adequate to prevent the dissemination of highly pathogenic avian influenza and must comply with the applicable laws for environmental protection). (f) Used poultry coops, containers, troughs, or other accessories for use in the handling of poultry or poultry eggs may be moved from a quarantined area if prior to movement they are cleaned and disinfected with a permitted disinfectant specified in 9-CFR §§ 71.10 or 71.11. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-7. Permits for movement of restricted articles |
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(a) A permit for the movement of a restricted article may be obtained from a State or Federal inspector.1It shall list the name and address of the consignor and consignee, the origin and destination locations, the number and type of articles covered, and the purpose of the movement. (b) Any permit which has been issued may be withdrawn by a Federal or State inspector or the Commissioner if he determines that the holder thereof has not complied with any condition for the use of the permit. The reasons for the withdrawal shall be confirmed in writing as promptly as circumstances allow. Any person whose permit has been withdrawn may appeal the decision in writing to the Commissioner within ten (10) days after receiving the written notification of the withdrawal. The appeal shall state all of the facts and reasons upon which the person relies to show that the permit wrongfully withdrawn. The Commissioner shall grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the decision as promptly as circumstances allow. If there is a conflict as to any material fact, a hearing shall be held to resolve such conflict. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-8. Movement by United States Department of Agriculture or Connecticut Department of Agriculture for diagnostic or experimental purposes; other movements |
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(a) Notwithstanding other provisions in Sections 22-324-1 through 22-324-11 of these regulations, a prohibited article or restricted article may be moved by the United States Department of Agriculture or Connecticut Department of Agriculture for diagnostic or experimental purposes under conditions found by the Commissioner to be adequate to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. (b) Notwithstanding other provision in Sections 22-324-1 through 22-324-11 of these regulations the Commissioner may in specific cases allow the movement of prohibited articles or restricted articles other than as provided for in Sections 22-324-1 through 22-324-11 of these regulations under conditions as the Commissioner may prescribe in each case to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The Commissioner will promptly notify the appropriate officials of Federal and State Agencies involved of any such action. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-9. Inspections and seizures |
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State inspectors and federal inspectors appointed as representatives of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture designated by the Commissioner and identified by an official identification card, shall have authority, in accordance with Section 22-324 of the Connecticut General Statutes to enter upon any premises in Connecticut for the purpose of making inspections and seizures necessary under Sections 22-324-1 through 22-324-11 of these regulations. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-10. Disposal |
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(a) Whenever the Director of the Task Force finds that any poultry upon any premises in Connecticut are or have been infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza, or that any carcasses or parts thereof, eggs, or other products or articles were so related to such poultry as to be likely to be a means of disseminating the disease, the Director of the Task Force will order the owner thereof, or the owner's agent in possession thereof, to maintain them in quarantine on such premises for such period and dispose of them within such time, and in such manner as the Director of the Task Force shall prescribe in accordance with Section 22-324 of the Connecticut General Statutes. The order shall be served upon the owner of the poultry, carcasses or parts thereof, egg products or articles, or the owner's agent, in person by a Federal inspector appointed as an employee of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture or by a State inspector. If the owner or the owner's agent does not comply with such order, after such notice thereof, the Director of the Task Force may seize, quarantine, and dispose of the poultry carcasses or parts thereof, eggs, products, or articles as provided in Section 22-324 of the Connecticut General Statutes. (b) When any poultry, carcasses or parts thereof, eggs, products, or articles are ordered to be quarantined on any premises under paragraph(s) of this section, they shall not be moved from such premises unless authorized by the Director of the Task Force. (c) A premises quarantine shall remain in effect until the following conditions are met: (1) All poultry on such premises are depopulated; (2) All carcasses and parts thereof from the depopulated poultry, and any other poultry carcasses and parts thereof, eggs, products, and articles so related to the depopulated poultry as to be likely to be a means of disseminating highly pathogenic avian influenza, and disposed of by incineration, rendering, burial in a landfill or other place, or by such other means as the Commissioner determines would be adequate to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (the incinerator, rendering facility, place of burial, or other place of disposal must have equipment and use procedures that are determined by the Commissioner to be adequate to prevent the dissemination of highly pathogenic avian influenza and must comply with the applicable laws for environmental protection); (3) The premises are found by a Federal or State inspector to have been cleaned and disinfected in accordance with Section 22-324-11 after the carcasses or parts thereof, eggs, products, or articles are disposed of as specified in paragraph (c) (2) of this section; (4) No live poultry are taken onto the premises for a 30-day period after the premises have been found to meet the cleaning and disinfection provisions of paragraph (c) (3) of this section, and for any additional time period determined necessary by the Director of the Task Force to insure that the premises are free of highly pathogenic avian influenza; and (5) The Director of the Task Force has determined (by means which may include testing with test birds and evaluation of epidemiological conditions) the highly pathogenic avian influenza has been eradicated and that the premises can be safely repopulated. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-11. Cleaning and disinfecting requirements |
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All pens, coops, containers, troughs, other accessories, or means of conveyance found by a Federal or State inspector to have been used in the handling of any poultry or related products, carcasses or parts thereof, egg products, or articles subject to an order under Section 22-324-11 of this regulation shall be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the provisions in §§ 71.7, 71.10, and 71.11 of 9-CFR or with a three percent solution cresol compound, U.S.P., unless other disposal is ordered under Section 22-324-10 of these regulations. |
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(Effective June 25, 1986) |
| Sec. 22-324-A1. 'Flock' defined |
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The word "flock," as used in these regulations, shall be construed as meaning all poultry kept on the premises, farm or ranch of the owner. |
| Sec. 22-324-A2. Responsibilities of poultry owner |
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The owner of a flock of poultry who has made application for examination and placed his flock under the supervision of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources shall keep and agree to maintain such flock under a system of housing, yarding management and general sanitation satisfactory to the commissioner or his agent. He shall agree to refrain from advertising falsely or misleadingly regarding the tests on his flock, and shall agree not to hatch eggs on his farm except from poultry of like or higher status and not to have eggs from his own poultry hatched for him by a poultryman or hatcheryman except with a flock or flocks of like or higher status. (See 1961 Supp. § 22-322.) |
| Sec. 22-324-A3. Age and time for testing |
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No poultry shall be presented to the inspector for examination and blood test until five months of age. All poultry on the premises of breeding and laying age shall be tested at the beginning of the breeding season and within the testing year. |
| Sec. 22-324-A4. Segregation of birds. Post-mortem examination |
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All birds reported as positive or doubtful shall be segregated at once from the flock. The owner, when so requested by the commissioner or his agent, shall submit birds for check-test by post-mortem examination to the Department of Animal Diseases, The University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, or final disposition made as directed by the commissioner. |
| Sec. 22-324-A5. Cleaning and disinfecting of pens, etc |
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All pens, perches, dropping boards, nests, floors and side walls with which any of the infected poultry have come in contact at any time shall be cleaned and disinfected with one of a list of disinfectants approved by the commissioner and shall be subject to the inspection of the commissioner or his agent within fifteen days from the date of the order for such cleaning and disinfecting. |
| Sec. 22-324-A6. Certificates |
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(a) When a flock has been found to be free of any evidence of pullorum-typhoid disease by one tube agglutination test made on all poultry on the premises, the flock shall be designated as pullorum-typhoid passed and a pullorum-typhoid passed certificate issued by the commissioner. (b) When a flock has been found to be free of any evidence of pullorum-typhoid disease on two consecutive tube agglutination tests, made at intervals of not less than twenty-one days on all poultry five months of age or over on the premises, the flock shall be designated as pullorum-typhoid clean and a pullorum-typhoid clean certificate issued by the commissioner. (c) When a flock originating from a pullorum-typhoid passed or a pullorum-typhoid clean flock has been found to be free of any evidence of pullorum-typhoid disease by one tube agglutination test on all poultry five months of age or over on the premises, the flock shall be designated as pullorum-typhoid clean and a pullorum-typhoid clean certificate issued by the commissioner. (d) Any flock may be pronounced clean on the completion of two consecutive clean tests not less than twenty-one days apart, the last being made within the testing year immediately preceding the date of sale of hatching eggs or chicks from such flocks. |
| Sec. 22-324-A7. Requirements on finding of positive or doubtful birds |
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(a) If one or more positive or doubtful birds are found in a pullorum-typhoid passed or a pullorum-typhoid clean flock by the tube agglutination test, the use of eggs for hatching shall be discontinued at once, from the pen or pens in which the reacting birds were found. The positive or doubtful birds shall be sent alive to the laboratory immediately by the owner as requested by the commissioner, provided not more than five shall be sent, unless others are requested by the laboratory. (b) If no evidence of pullorum-typhoid disease is found in the reacting birds upon post-mortem examination at the laboratory, the flock shall be considered pullorum-typhoid clean. (c) If the pullorum-typhoid organism is identified in any of the birds posted and so reported by the laboratory, all sales of hatching eggs and chicks to pullorum-typhoid passed or pullorum-typhoid clean flocks shall stop at once. (d) If not more than one half of one per cent of a pullorum-typhoid clean flock is found to be positive by the post-mortem examination, a retest of the entire flock shall be made at the discretion of the commissioner not earlier than twenty-one days and not later than forty-two days after the first test. For the flock to be reinstated as a clean flock, it shall pass two negative tests not less than twenty-one days apart. (e) If the pullorum-typhoid disease organism is recovered from young chicks which unquestionably originated from Connecticut pullorum-typhoid passed or Connecticut pullorum-typhoid clean flocks, the flock from which the chicks originated shall be tested at the discretion of the commissioner. (f) Any poultryman selling eggs for hatching or chicks shall notify the purchaser at once regarding any change in the status of his flock. |
| Sec. 22-324-A8. Addition or return of birds to passed or clean flocks |
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(a) All hatching eggs, chicks or poultry to be added to pullorum-typhoid passed or pullorum-typhoid clean flocks under supervision shall be approved by the commissioner before purchase. (b) All birds returned to pullorum-typhoid passed and pullorum-typhoid clean flocks from poultry exhibits or egg-laying contests or after being removed from the premises for any purpose whatsoever shall be quarantined until birds from pullorum-typhoid passed flocks have passed one clean test and birds from pullorum-typhoid clean flocks have passed two clean tests at least twenty-one days apart. If a reactor is found, all birds under quarantine shall be disposed of. |
| Sec. 22-324-A9. Breeders and hatcheries to place flock under supervision of commissioner |
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No breeder, breeder hatchery or commercial hatchery in Connecticut may offer pullorum-typhoid passed or pullorum-typhoid clean chicks for sale unless the flock and hatchery are placed under the supervision of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources. Hatcheries handling more than one class of chicks shall be classified as of the lowest class handled. |
| Sec. 22-324-A10. Tube agglutination test to be used |
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The tube agglutination test shall be used for all official tests. Private pullorum-typhoid tests of flocks under supervision will not be permitted. |
| Sec. 22-324-A11. The National Poultry and Turkey Improvement Plans |
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Poultrymen and hatcherymen participating in the U.S.-Connecticut pullorum-typhoid disease control program may cooperate in breed improvements under the National Poultry and Turkey Improvement Plans by cooperating with the Connecticut Poultry Improvement Association, Inc., set up for the purpose of supervising the breeding stages of the National Poultry and Turkey Improvement Plans in Connecticut. |
| Sec. 22-324-B1. Infectious laryngotracheitis |
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Flocks of chickens and domesticated pheasants with infectious laryngotracheitis shall be held in strict quarantine until all infected and exposed birds have been disposed of for slaughter. During the duration of the quarantine, sale or disposal of market eggs, hatching eggs and day-old chicks is ordinarily permissible. |
| Sec. 22-324-B2. Newcastle disease |
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Flocks of domesticated birds affected with an active outbreak of Newcastle disease shall be held in strict quarantine for at least two months following the disappearance of all clinical signs and symptoms of the disease. The quarantine is inclusive of all poultry products and equipment. If direct sanitary marketing can be assured, written permission for the sale or disposal of market eggs and of birds for slaughter may be obtained. |
| Sec. 22-324-B3. Importation of vaccine |
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Infectious laryngotracheitis vaccine or live Newcastle vaccine or any virulent product of a similar nature shall not be shipped or transported into the state without the written permission of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources. |
| Sec. 22-324-B4. Possession of vaccine or virus regulated |
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No person, firm or corporation, nor the agent or employee of any corporation, shall have in his possession or use any virulent exudate, vaccine or virus, or any preparation of a similar nature for infectious laryngotracheitis and Newcastle diseases, unless permission in writing has been obtained from the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources. |
| Sec. 22-324-B5. Doubtful diagnosis to be determined by University |
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In case of doubt, the diagnosis of infectious laryngotracheitis and Newcastle diseases shall be established through the examination of suitable specimens at the department of animal diseases of The University of Connecticut. |
| Sec. 22-324-B6. Administration |
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Sections 22-324-B1 to 22-324-B5, inclusive, shall be administered at the discretion of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources. |
| Sec. 22-324-C1. Commissioner to be notified of exhibitions |
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The commissioner of agriculture and natural resources shall be notified in writing by the show management of the date and place of holding its show or exhibition of live poultry at least five days prior to the date of opening of such show or exhibition. |
| Sec. 22-324-C2. Adult birds to be shown |
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Only adult birds may be shown. |
| Sec. 22-324-C3. Statement of freedom from disease |
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All entries to a show or exhibition shall be accompanied by a declaration or certification from the owner or exhibitor that, to the best of his knowledge, the poultry entries and source of flock or flocks are free from any evidence of, and were not recently exposed to, Newcastle disease or any other infectious or transmissible disease, the certification to be based on inspection made within at least five days of admission to each show or exhibition by a certificate of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources that such entries are negative to a pullorum-typhoid test or, for any show or exhibition held on or after January 1, 1969, by a certificate of the commissioner that such entries are from flocks negative to a pullorum-typhoid test. The certificate or declaration shall contain the date of inspection, the name and address of the owner or exhibitor, the name and location of the show, and the number, breed, species and identification band number of each bird to be exhibited. |
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(Effective June 4, 1968) |
| Sec. 22-324-C4. Birds without certificate or diseased not permitted |
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Birds not accompanied by a health certification or those showing evidence of disease shall not be permitted to enter a show or exhibition. |
| Sec. 22-324-C5. Disinfection of crates and vehicles |
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All crates, boxes or containers and vehicles used for transporting the poultry to a show shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to such use. |
| Sec. 22-324-C6. Examination by veterinarian on admission [Repealed] |
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Repealed November 30, 1966. |
| Sec. 22-324-C7. Daily examination [Repealed] |
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Repealed November 30, 1966. |
| Sec. 22-324-C8. Segregation of diseased birds |
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Birds showing evidence of disease upon entry to or during a show shall be properly segregated and cared for and reported promptly by the * * * superintendent of the show to a representative of the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources. It is recommended: (1) Since all birds returned from a show are potential sources of infection, they be isolated immediately after their return from all other birds. This isolation should be maintained at least until it has been established that the birds are not carriers of disease-producing agents as may be determined by exposure of a few susceptible birds to direct contacts with them; (2) shows be of not more than three days' duration; (3) there be solid partitions between coops, and (4) satisfactory provisions be made for air disinfection. |
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(Effective August 25, 1966) |
| Sec. 22-324-D1. Definitions |
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As used in sections 22-324-D1 to 22-324-D7, inclusive: (1) "Case" means, when referring to containers, an egg case, as used in commercial practice in the United States, holding thirty dozens of shell eggs; (2) "condition" means any condition, including, but not limited to, the state of preservation, cleanliness, soundness, wholesomeness, or fitness for human food, of any product which affects its merchantability; (3) "plant" means any building, machinery, apparatus or fixture, used for the storing, grading or packing of shell eggs; (4) "potable water" means water that has been approved by the state department of health, or any agency or laboratory acceptable to the commissioner of agriculture and natural resources, as safe for drinking and suitable for food processing; (5) "premises" means a tract of land with the buildings thereon or building or part of a building with its grounds or other appurtenances; (6) "product" or "products" means shell eggs of the domesticated chicken; (7) "shell eggs" means eggs of domesticated chickens; (8) "shell protected" means eggs which have had a protective covering such as oil applied to the shell surface. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D2. Physical requirements of plant |
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(a) The plant shall be free from strong foul odors, dust and smoke-laden air. (b) The premises shall be free from refuse, rubbish, waste and other materials and conditions which constitute a source of odors or a harbor for insects and rodents and other vermin. (c) The buildings shall be of sound construction and kept in good repair, such as to prevent the entrance or harboring of vermin. (d) Rooms shall be kept free from refuse, rubbish, waste materials, odors, insects and rodents, and from any conditions which may constitute a source of odors or engender insects and rodents. Materials and equipment not currently needed shall be handled or stored in a manner so as not to constitute a sanitary hazard. (e) Doors and windows that open to the outside shall be protected against the entrance of flies and other insects. Doors and windows serving rooms where edible product is exposed shall be protected against the entrance of dust and dirt. All doors leading into rooms where edible product is processed shall be of solid construction and such doors, other than freezer and cooler doors, shall be fitted with self-closing devices. (f) Doors and other openings which are accessible to rodents shall be of rodent-proof construction. (g) There shall be an efficient drainage and plumbing system for the plant and premises. All drains and gutters shall be properly installed with traps and vents. The sewerage system shall have adequate slope and capacity to remove readily all waste from the various processing operations. All floor drains shall be equipped with traps and constructed so as to minimize clogging. (h) Both the hot and cold water supplies shall be ample, clean and potable, with adequate facilities for distribution throughout the plant or portion thereof utilized for egg processing and handling operations, and for protection against contamination and pollution. (i) The floors, walls, ceiling, partitions, posts, doors and other parts of an structures shall be of such materials, construction and finish as to permit their ready and thorough cleaning. The floors and curbing shall be watertight. (j) Each room and each compartment in which any shell eggs are handled or processed shall be so designed and constructed as to insure processing and operating conditions of a clean and orderly character, free from objectionable odors and vapors, and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. (k) Every practicable precaution shall be taken to exclude dogs, cats and vermin including, but not limited to, rodents and insects, from the plant or portion thereof in which shell eggs are handled or stored. (l) There shall be adequately lighted dressing rooms and toilet rooms, ample in size, conveniently located and separated from the rooms and compartments in which shell eggs are handled, processed, or stored, sufficient in number to accommodate the number of persons employed. The dressing rooms and toilet rooms shall be separately ventilated. (m) Lavatory accommodations, including, but not limited to, hot and cold running water, towels, and soap which does not impart an odor which interferes with accurate evaluation of the product, shall be placed at such locations in the plant as may be essential to assure cleanliness of each person handling any shell eggs. (n) Suitable facilities for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and equipment shall be provided at convenient locations throughout the plant. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D3. Equipment and utensils |
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Equipment and utensils used in processing shell eggs shall be of such design, material and construction as will (1) enable the examination, segregation and processing of such products in an efficient, clean and satisfactory manner, and (2) permit easy access to all parts to insure thorough cleaning and sanitizing. So far as is practicable all such equipment shall be made of metal or other impervious material, if the metal or other impervious material will not affect the product by chemical action or physical contact. Receptacles and packages used for shell eggs which are not fit for human food shall bear some conspicuous and distinctive identification. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D4. Protection of shell eggs |
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(a) Shell eggs which are not fit for human food shall be placed in a conspicuously marked container and shall be treated in such manner as will preclude their use as human food. (b) No product or material which creates an objectionable condition shall be processed, stored or handled in any room, compartment or place where any shell eggs are processed, stored or handled. (c) Only germicides, insecticides, rodenticides, detergents or wetting agents or other similar compounds which will not deleteriously affect the egg products and which have been approved and listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture list of Chemical Compounds, authorized for use under the U.S.D.A. poultry and egg products inspection program, may be used in a plant. The use of such compounds shall be in a manner satisfactory to the commissioner. (d) Packages or containers for eggs shall be clean when being filled; and all reasonable precautions shall be taken to avoid soiling or contaminating the surface of any package or container liner which is, or will be, in direct contact with such eggs. Only new containers or used containers that are clean and in sound condition shall be used for packaging eggs. (1) A used fiber case shall be construed to be good if it is reasonably clean and free from excessive stains and odors. Cases which have lost their original shape, due to warping, bulging, sagging or denting shall not be used. All seams shall be securely fastened without broken stitches or pulled staples. Hand slots and other parts of the case shall be free of tears. (2) Used fillers, flats and filler-flats shall be construed to be good if they are reasonably clean and sufficiently sound to permit the lifting of the layer of eggs from the case without losing eggs. They shall be free of mold, mustiness or off-odor. (3) Any material which does not meet the definition of new, good, and used shall not be used. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D5. Candling and transfer room: Construction |
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Latest version.
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(a) The candling and transfer room shall be so constructed that it can be adequately darkened to assure accuracy in removal of inedible or loss of eggs by candling. Equipment shall be arranged so as to facilitate cleaning and the removal of refuse and excess packing material. (b) The construction of the floor shall allow thorough cleaning. In any building constructed after the effective date of this regulation, the floors shall be of water-resistant composition and provided with proper drainage. (c) Ventilation shall be such as to provide for the rapid removal of objectionable odors and dust, preferably by means of an exhaust fan. (d) Candling devices of an approved type shall be provided to enable candlers to detect inedible, dirty or checked eggs, and eggs other than chicken eggs. (e) Leaker trays shall be made of such material and design as to be conducive to easy cleaning and sanitizing. (f) Containers made of a material and design conducive to easy cleaning and sanitizing shall be provided for inedible eggs. All such containers shall be conspicuously marked. (g) Containers made of a material and design conducive to easy cleaning and sanitizing shall be provided for trash unless clean disposable containers are furnished daily. (h) Shell egg conveyors shall be constructed so that they can be thoroughly cleaned. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D6. Candling and transfer room: Cleanliness |
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Latest version.
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(a) Candling and transfer rooms shall be kept clean and free from cobwebs, dust, objectionable odors and excess packing materials. (b) Floors, benches and conveyors shall be cleaned as often as necessary to maintain a clean operation but at least once daily. (c) Mechanical candling machines shall be maintained in a clean condition during operations. (d) Containers for trash and inedible eggs shall be removed from the candling room as often as necessary but at least once daily and shall be cleaned and treated in such a manner as will avoid off odors or objectionable conditions in the plant. |
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(Effective April 7, 1970) |
| Sec. 22-324-D7. Cooler room requirements. Shell egg protecting and cleaning operations |
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Latest version.
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(a) Cooler room requirements: Shell eggs shall be held under refrigeration meeting the following requirements: (1) Cooler rooms shall have refrigeration facilities capable of reducing within forty-eight hours and holding the maximum volume of eggs handled to 45°F. or below. Accurate thermometers shall be provided. (2) Cooler rooms shall be free from objectionable odors and from mold and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. (b) Shell egg protecting operations. Shell eggs protecting (oil processing) operations shall be conducted in a manner to avoid contamination of the product and maximize conservation of its quality. (1) Oil having off odor, or that is obviously contaminated, shall not be used in shell egg protection. (2) Processing oil that has been previously used and which has become contaminated shall be filtered and heat treated at 180°F for three minutes prior to use. (c) Shell egg cleaning operations. (1) Shell egg cleaning equipment shall be kept in good repair and shall be cleaned after each day's use or more frequently if necessary. (2) Waste water from the egg washing operation shall go directly to a drain. (3) Continuous-type washers shall have a complete water change at least once during each day and at the end of each day or more frequently. (4) Bucket type washers shall have a complete water change after every five baskets. (5) Wash water used shall be at least 20°F warmer than the eggs. The minimum maintained temperature of the wash water shall be 90°F. The twenty degree differential shall be maintained throughout the cleaning cycle. Prewetting by submersion shall not exceed five minutes. (6) During any rest period, eggs shall be removed from the washing and rinsing area of the egg washer and from the scanning area whenever there is a buildup of heat. (7) Only Consumer and Marketing Service, U.S.D.A. approved list cleaning and sanitizing compounds revised October, 1968, and as subsequently amended may be used. The use of metered equipment for dispensing the compounds into solution is recommended. (8) The entire shell egg cleaning and drying operation shall be continuous and shall be completed as rapidly as possible. (9) Only potable water may be used to wash eggs. (10) Where practicable all washed eggs shall be spray rinsed with warm, potable water which contains a sanitizing compound. (11) Washed eggs shall be reasonably dry before cartoning or casing. |
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(Effective February 6, 1991) |