Temporary Food

105 CMR 590.000: STATE SANITARY CODE CHAPTER X – MINIMUM SANITATION STANDARDS FOR FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS

(1) ~A temporary food operation shall comply with all applicable requirements of the federal 1999 Food Code, except as otherwise provided in this 105 CMR 590.009(C). The board of health may impose additional requirements to protect against health hazards related to the conduct of the temporary food operation, may prohibit the sale of some or all potentially hazardous foods, and when no health hazard will result, may waive or modify requirements of 105 CMR 590.000 pursuant to the provisions of 105 CMR 590.010(H).

(2) ~Whenever a temporary food establishment is permitted to prepare exposed foods without complying with all the requirements of 105 CMR 590.000, the following requirements are applicable. Only those foods requiring limited preparation, such as hamburgers and frankfurters that only require seasoning and cooking, shall be prepared or served. The preparation of other potentially hazardous foods including pastries filled with cream or synthetic cream, custards, and similar products and salads or sandwiches containing Meat, poultry, eggs or fish is prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to the service of any potentially hazardous food that has been prepared and packaged under conditions meeting the requirements of 105 CMR 590.000, is packaged in individual servings, is stored at or below 45°F (7°C)/ 41°F (5°C) or at or above 140°F (60°C) in facilities meeting the federal 1999 Food Code requirements for storage, display and transportation and is served directly in the unopened container in which it was packaged.

(3) ~Temporary food establishment operators shall comply with the mandatory food protection management certification requirement in accordance with 105 CMR 590.003, except that the board of health may waive the requirement if the sponsor of a temporary event has employed at least one (FTE) person in charge in accordance with 105 CMR 590.003(A), who is:

(a) ~Not a vendor; and

(b) ~Responsible for monitoring safe food handling practices and initiating corrective actions to ensure compliance with 105 CMR 590.000.

(4) ~Ice that is consumed or that contacts food shall be made under conditions meeting the requirements of FC 3-202.16 and FC 3-303. The ice shall be in chipped, crushed, or cubed form and in single-use safe plastic or wet-strength paper bags filled and sealed at the point of manufacture. The ice shall be held in these bags until it is dispensed in a way that protects it from contamination.

(5) ~A convenient handwashing facility must be available for employee handwashing whenever handling unpackaged foods. This facility shall consist of at least sufficient warm running water, soap and individual paper towels. The board of health may approve the use of chemically treated towelettes in lieu of handwashing facilities if:

(a) ~Only frankfurters, non-potentially hazardous foods or non-perishable foods are prepared and served and there is no bare-hand contact, or

(b) ~If other foods are served and there is no bare-hand contact.

(6) ~Equipment.

(a) ~Equipment shall be located and installed in a way that prevents food contamination and that also facilitates cleaning the equipment and establishment.

(b) ~Food contact surfaces of equipment shall be protected from contamination by consumers and other contaminating agents. Effective shields for such equipment shall be provided, as necessary, to prevent contamination.

(c) ~Warewashing facilities, when required, shall be available in accordance with federal 1999 Food Code Chapter 4 for cleaning in-use utensils and food contact surfaces.

(7) ~All temporary food establishments without effective facilities for cleaning and sanitizing tableware shall provide only single-service articles for use by the consumer.

(8) ~Enough potable water shall be available in the operation for food preparation, for cleaning and sanitizing utensils and equipment, and for handwashing. A heating facility capable of producing enough hot water for these purposes shall be provided on the premises.

(9) ~Mechanical refrigeration or insulated containers with ice or gel packs must be used to maintain product temperature for pre-packaged, ready-to-eat foods, which are required to be held at or below 41°F (5°C)/45°F (7°C). The storage of packaged food in contact with water or undrained ice is prohibited. Wrapped ready-to-eat foods such as sandwiches shall not be stored in direct contact with ice.

(10) Potentially hazardous food, which is reheated for hot holding, shall be discarded if not used or sold by the end of the day. Temporary food operations designed to dispense hot foods shall be provided with suitable units to rapidly heat foods and to keep such food hot until served.

(11) ~All sewage, including liquid waste, shall be disposed of according to law.

(12) ~Floors, Walls and Ceilings of Food Preparation Areas.

(a) ~Floors shall be constructed of concrete, asphalt, tight wood, or other similar cleanable material kept in good repair. Dirt or gravel, when graded to drain, may be used as subflooring when covered with clean, removable platforms or duckboards, or covered with wood chips, shavings or other suitable materials effectively treated to control dust.

(b) ~Walls and ceilings shall be made of wood, canvas, or other material that protects the interior of the establishment from the weather, dust and debris.

(c) ~Walls and ceilings of food preparation areas shall be constructed in a way that prevents the entrance of insects. Doors to food preparation areas shall be solid or screened and shall be self-closing. Screening material used for walls, doors, or windows shall be at least 16 mesh to the inch.

(d) ~Counter-service openings shall not be larger than necessary for the particular operation conducted. These openings shall be provided with tight-fitting solid or screened doors or windows or shall be provided with fans installed and operated to restrict the entrance of flying insects. Counter-service openings shall be kept closed, except when in actual use.

(e) ~105 CMR 590.009(3)(12)(c) and (d) do not apply if flying insects and other pests are absent due to the location of the establishment, the weather, or other limiting conditions.