Mar 4, 2026
Routine
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Regulation: 511-6-1.04(6)(g) - ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food, date marking (pf)
Observed multiple food items in WIC using an incorrect date marking system. Multiple foods dated for a month. CA: Advised PIC that food items are to be dated for 7 days after prep and is to be thrown out on the 7th day.
511-6-1.04(6)(g) - Ready-To-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking (Pf) (g) Ready-to-Eat Time/Temperature Control for Safety Food, Date Marking
-
Except when packaging food using a reduced oxygen packaging method, and except as specified in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1. Pf
-
Except as specified in paragraphs 5 through 7 of this subsection, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and packaged by a food processing plant shall be clearly marked, at the time the original container is opened in a food service establishment and if the food is held for more than 24 hours, to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days after the original container is opened. The day the original container is opened in the food service establishment shall be counted as Day 1, except, the day or date marked by the food service establishment may not exceed a manufacturer’s use by date if the manufacturer determined the use-by date based on food safety; Pf
-
A refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food ingredient or a portion of a refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food that is subsequently combined with additional ingredients or portions of food shall retain the date marking of the earliest-prepared or first-prepared ingredient. Pf
-
A date marking system that meets the criteria stated in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection may include:
(i) Using a method approved by the Health Authority for refrigerated, ready-to-eat time / temperature control for safety food that is frequently rewrapped, such as lunchmeat or a roast, or for which date marking is impractical, such as soft serve mix or milk in a dispensing machine;
(ii) Marking the date or day of preparation, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded;
(iii) Marking the date or day the original container is opened in a food service establishment, with a procedure to discard the food on or before the last date or day by which the food must be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded; or
(iv) Using calendar dates, days of the week, color-coded marks, or other effective marking methods, provided that the marking system is disclosed to the Health Authority upon request.
-
The requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection do not apply to individual meal portions served or repackaged for sale from a bulk container upon a consumer’s request.
-
The requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection do not apply to shellstock.
-
The requirement in paragraph 2 of this subsection does not apply to the following foods prepared and packaged by a food processing plant inspected by a Health Authority:
(i) Deli salads, such as ham salad, seafood salad, chicken salad, egg salad, pasta salad, potato salad, and macaroni salad, manufactured in accordance with 21 CFR 117 Current good manufacturing practice in manufacturing, packing, or holding human food;
(ii) Hard cheeses containing not more than 39% moisture as defined in 21 CFR 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as cheddar, gruyere, parmesan and reggiano, and romano;
(iii) Semi-soft cheeses containing more than 39% moisture, but not more than 50% moisture, as defined in 21 CFR 133 Cheeses and related cheese products, such as blue, edam, gorgonzola, gouda, and monterey jack;
(iv) Cultured dairy products as defined in 21 CFR 131 Milk and cream, such as yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk;
(v) Preserved fish products, such as pickled herring and dried or salted cod, and other acidified fish products defined in 21 CFR 114 Acidified foods;
(vi) Shelf stable, dry fermented sausages, such as pepperoni and Genoa salami; and
(vii) Shelf stable salt-cured products, such as prosciutto and Parma ham.
14A - in-use utensils: properly stored
Regulation: 511-6-1.04(4)(k) - in-use utensils, between-use storage (c)
Observed containers of rice and flour with scoop handles touching the food. CA: Advised PIC that while scoops may be left in food containers, their handles cannot be touching the food.
511-6-1.04(4)(k) - In-Use Utensils, Between-Use Storage (C) (k)Storage of In-Use Utensils. During pauses in food preparation or dispensing, food preparation and dispensing utensils shall be stored:
1.Except as specified under paragraph 2 of this subsection, in the food with their handles above the top of the food and the container;
2.In food that is not time/temperature control for safety food with their handles above the top of the food within containers or equipment that can be closed, such as bins of sugar, flour, or cinnamon;
3.On a clean portion of the food preparation table or cooking equipment only if the in-use utensil and the food-contact surface of the food preparation table or cooking equipment are cleaned and sanitized at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b) and (8)(a);
4.In running water of sufficient velocity to flush particulates to the drain, if used with moist food such as ice cream or mashed potatoes;
-
In a clean, protected location if the utensils, such as ice scoops, are used only with a food that is not time/temperature control for safety food; or
-
In a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135°F (57°C) and the container is cleaned at a frequency specified under DPH Rule 511-6-1-.05(7)(b)3(vi).
14B - utensils, equipment and linens: properly stored, dried, handled
Regulation: 511-6-1.05(10)(a) - equipment & utensils, air-drying required (c)
Observed food containers stacked together while wet in main kitchen. CA: Advised PIC to allow dishes to fully air dry before stacking together.
511-6-1.05(10)(a) - Equipment & Utensils, Air-Drying Required (C) (10) Protection of Clean Items.
(a) Equipment and Utensils, Air-Drying Required. After cleaning and sanitizing, equipment and utensils:
-
Shall be air-dried or used after adequate draining before contact with food; and
-
May not be cloth dried except that utensils that have been air-dried may be polished with cloths that are maintained clean and dry.