216-RICR-50-10-1
216-RICR-50-10-1. Rhode Island Food Code (version Adoption, 02/26/2018 to 02/26/2018)
1.1 Authority
and Purpose
1.1.1 Authority
These regulations are amended
pursuant to the authority of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 21-27 and 23-1
and are developed for establishing minimum standards for food safety
and sanitation in food businesses and food establishments.
1.1.2 Purpose
The purpose of these
regulations is to establish minimum standards for food safety and
sanitation in food businesses and food establishments in Rhode
Island. These regulations shall be liberally construed and applied to
promote the purpose of protecting the public health.
1.1.3 Scope
These regulations establish
definitions; sets standards for management and personnel, food
operations and equipment and facilities; and provides food
establishment plan review, plan issuance, inspection, employee
restriction and permit suspension. It applies to retail food
operations within food establishments licensed by RIDOH, but does not
apply to activities regulated by Part 6 of this Subchapter,
"Processing and Distribution of Shellfish" and Part 4 of
this Subchapter, "Good Manufacturing Practices for Food."
1.2 Incorporation
by Reference
These regulations hereby
adopt and incorporate the FDA Food Code including the annexes (2013)
and the Supplement to the 2013 Food Code (2015) by reference, not
including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the
extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these
regulations.
1.3 Definitions
A. The following definitions
shall apply in the interpretation and application of these
Regulations:
1. "Approved" means
approved by the Director or his/her duly appointed agents.
2. "Bed and breakfast"
means an owner-occupied residence providing accommodations for a
charge to the public in operation for more than ten (10) nights in a
twelve (12) month period. Breakfast may be only provided to guests.
The total number of visitors shall not exceed twelve (12), including
the owner and any other individuals living or eating on the premises.
Bed and breakfast establishments shall not include motels, hotels or
boarding houses.
3. "Center" means
the Center for Food Protection, RIDOH.
4. "Code" means the
FDA Food Code (2013) including the annexes and Supplement to the 2013
Food Code (2015) that are incorporated by reference within these
Regulations.
5. "Commissary"
means an operating base location to which a mobile food establishment
or transportation vehicle returns regularly for such things as food
preparation, food storage, vehicle and equipment cleaning,
discharging liquid or solid wastes, refilling water tanks and ice
bins.
6. "Cultural heritage
education facility" means a facility for up to ten (10)
individuals who, for a fee, participate in the preparation and
consumption of food, limited to an owner-occupied site documented to
be at least one hundred fifty (150) years old and whose drinking
water shall be obtained from an approved source which meets all the
requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-13.
7. "Director" refers
to the Director of RIDOH or the Director's duly appointed agents.
8. "Employee" means
any person who works with or without pay in a food establishment.
9. "Farm home food
manufacture" means the production in accordance with the
requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-6.1 of food for retail sale
in a residential kitchen on a farm which produces agricultural
products for human consumption and the operator of which is eligible
for exemptions from the sales and use tax in accordance with R.I.
Gen. Laws § 44-18-30(32).
10. "Farmer's market"
means a market where two (2) or more farmers are selling produce
exclusively grown on their own farms on a retail basis to consumers.
Excluded from this term is any market where farmers or others are
selling produce at wholesale and/or any market in which any
individual is selling produce not grown on his or her own farm.
11. "Food" means:
a. articles used for food or
drink for people or other animals;
b. chewing gum; and/or
c. articles used for
components of any food or drink article.
12. "Food business"
means and includes any establishment or place, whether fixed or
mobile, where food or ice is held, processed, manufactured, packaged,
prepared, displayed, served, transported or sold.
13. "Food service
establishment" means any fixed or mobile restaurant, coffee
shop, cafeteria, short-order café, luncheonette, grill, tearoom,
sandwich shop, soda fountain, tavern, bar, cocktail lounge,
nightclub, roadside stand, industrial feeding establishment, cultural
heritage education facility, private, public or non-profit
organization or institution routinely serving food, catering kitchen,
commissary or similar place in which food or drink is prepared for
sale or for service on the premise or elsewhere, and any other eating
or drinking establishment or operation where food is served or
provided for the public with or without charge.
14. "Full-time
equivalent" means forty (40) hours a week.
15. "Itinerant vendor"
means a food vending business serving food or drink from any
establishment or conveyance without food locations and without
connection to water supply and sewage disposal systems.
16. "Manager certified in
food safety" means a person certified in this state in
accordance with the requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-27 and
"Certification of Managers in Food Safety" (Part 2 of this
Subchapter).
17. "Mobile food
establishment" (MFE) means a food service operation that is
operated from a movable motor driven or propelled vehicle, portable
structure, or watercraft that can chance location.
18. "Mobile food service
unit" means a unit that prepares and/or sells food products for
direct consumption.
19. "Operator" in
relation to food vending machines means any person who by contract,
agreement, lease, rental or ownership sells food from vending
machines.
20. "Person" means
any individual, firm, co-partnership, association, or private or
municipal corporation.
21. "Person in charge"
means the individual present at a food establishment who is
responsible for the operation at the time of inspection.
22. "Permanent food
establishment" or "PFE" means a licensed food
establishment operating in a permanently constructed structure. This
does not include a Temporarily Food Establishment or Mobile Food
Establishment.
23. "Processor"
means one who combines, handles, manufactures or prepares, packages
and stores food products.
24. "Retail" means
when eighty (80%) percent or more of sales are made directly to
consumers.
25. "Retail peddler"
means a food business which sells meat, seafood, and dairy products
directly to the consumer, house to house or in a neighborhood.
26. "RIDOH" means
the Rhode Island Department of Health.
27. "R.I. Gen. Laws."
means the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended.
28. "Roadside farm stand"
means a stand or location adjacent to a farm where produce grown only
on that farm is sold at the time of harvest.
29. "Special event"
means a temporary event, or transitory public gathering that takes
place at a given location for a specific purpose, including, but not
limited to, a fair, festival, exposition, show, concert or other
similar activity that does not recur on a regularly scheduled basis
within a year and is conducted wholly on public property on partly on
public property. The event has a defined start and stop date, with
the given event not exceeding fourteen (14) consecutive days.
30. "Special event
sponsor" means the person, group, association, organization,
corporation or governmental agency sponsoring or promoting and
coordinating a special event.
31. "Temporary food
establishment" means a food establishment that operates for a
period of no more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in conjunction
with a single event or celebration.
32. "These Regulations"
shall mean all parts of the Rhode Island Food Code codified as
216-RICR-50-10-1.
33. "Time Temperature
Control for Safety Food" or "TCS" means any food or
food ingredient, natural or synthetic in a form capable of supporting
a. the rapid and progressive
growth of infectious or toxigenic microorganisms or
b. the slower growth of
Clostridium botulinum.
34. "Vending machine site
or location" means the room, enclosure, space or area where one
or more vending machines are installed and/or operated.
35. "Warehouse"
means a place for the storage of dried, fresh or frozen food or food
products, not including those areas associated within or directly
part of a food establishment or retail market.
36. "Wholesale"
means when eighty (80%) percent or more of the business is for resale
purposes.
1.4 Management
and Personnel
A. The food establishment
shall have a manager certified in food safety, as specified in the
"Certification of Managers in Food Safety" (Part 2 of this
Subchapter).
B. Food employees and
conditional employees are informed in writing of their responsibility
to report in accordance with the law, to the person in charge,
information about their health and activities as they relate to
diseases that are transmissible through food.
1.5 Food
1.5.1 Preventing
Contamination from Hands
A. Food employees may not
contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall
use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatula, tongs, single-use
gloves or dispensing equipment. This does not apply to the following:
1. Contains a raw animal food
and is to be cooked in the food establishment to heat all parts of
the food to minimum temperatures as specified in the Code.
2. Does not contain a raw
animal food but it is to be cooked in the food establishment to heat
all parts of the food to a temperature of at least 63°C (145°F).
1.5.2 Raw Animal Foods
A. A raw animal food such as
raw egg, raw fish, raw-marinated fish, raw molluscan shellfish, or
steak tartare; or a partially cooked food such as lightly cooked
fish, soft cooked eggs, or rare meat other than whole-muscle, intact
beef steaks as specified in the Code, may be served or offered for
sale upon consumer request or selection in a ready-to-eat form if:
1. The food service
establishment serves a population that is not a highly susceptible
population;
2. The food, if served or
offered for service by consumer selection from a children's menu,
does not contain comminuted meat;
3. The consumer is over twelve
(12) years of age and is informed as specified under the Consumer
Advisory in the Code that to ensure its safety, the food should be
cooked as specified therein.
1.5.3 Time as a Public
Health Control
A. If time without
temperature control is used as the public health control for a
working supply of time/temperature control for safety food before
cooking, or for ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food
that is displayed or held and sold for immediate consumption:
1. Written procedures shall be
approved in advance, maintained in the food service establishment and
made available to RIDOH upon request that specify:
a. Methods of compliance with
time-maximum up to four (4) hours and up to six (6) hours; and
b. Methods of compliance with
cooling for food that is prepared, cooked, and refrigerated before
time is used as a public health control.
1.5.4 Pasteurized Foods,
Prohibited Reservice and Prohibited Food
In addition to a food service
establishment that serves a highly susceptible population,
undercooked comminuted meat may not be offered for sale or service
for children twelve (12) years of age and under.
1.6 Physical
Facilities
1.6.1 Prohibiting Animals
A. Live animals may not be
allowed on the premises of a food establishment. Except in the
following incidents:
1. Live animals may be allowed
in the following situations if the contamination of food; clean
equipment, utensils, and linens; and unwrapped single-service and
single-use articles cannot result:
a. Edible fish or decorative
fish in aquariums, shellfish or crustacea on ice or under
refrigeration, and shellfish and crustacea in display tank systems;
b. Patrol dogs accompanying
police or security officers in offices and dining, sales, and storage
areas, and sentry dogs running loose in outside fenced areas;
c. In areas that are not used
for food preparation and that are usually open for customers, such as
dining and sales areas, service animals that are controlled by the
disabled employee or person, if a health or safety hazard will not
result from the presence or activities of the service animal;
d. Pets in the common dining
areas of institutional care facilities such as nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, group homes, or residential care
facilities at times other than during meals if:
(1) Effective partitioning and
self-closing doors separate the common dining areas from food storage
or food preparation areas,
(2) Condiments, equipment, and
utensils are stored in enclosed cabinets or removed from the common
dining areas when pets are present, and
(3) Dining areas including
tables, countertops, and similar surfaces are effectively cleaned
before the next meal service; and
e. In areas that are not used
for food preparation, storage, sales, display, or dining, in which
there are caged animals or animals that are similarly confined, such
as in a variety store that sells pets or a tourist park that displays
animals.
2. Live or dead fish bait may
be stored if contamination of food; clean equipment, utensils, and
linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles cannot
result.
3. A food establishment with
an outdoor dining area may allow a patron's dog to accompany the
patron in the outdoor dining area during the hours designated by the
owner of the restaurant.
a. All persons must comply
with R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-27-12 and these Regulations
b. This section shall not
affect the right of an individual to use a service animal as provided
by R.I. Gen. Laws.
1.7 Compliance
1.7.1 Contents of the Plans
and Specifications for the Construction or Renovation of a Food
Establishment
A. The plans and
specifications for a food establishment, including a food
establishment specified under Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
(HACCP) Plan requirements under the Code, shall include, as required
by RIDOH based on the type of operation, type of food preparation,
and foods prepared, the following information to demonstrate
conformance with Code provisions:
1. Intended menu;
2. Anticipated volume of food
to be stored, prepared, and sold or served;
3. Proposed layout, mechanical
schematics, construction materials, and finish schedules;
4. Proposed equipment types,
manufacturers, model numbers, locations, dimensions, performance
capacities, and installation specifications;
5. Evidence that standard
operating procedures that ensure compliance with the requirements of
the Code are developed or being developed; and
6. Other information that may
be required by RIDOH for the proper review of the proposed
construction, conversion or modification, and procedures for
operating a food establishment including zoning approval, onsite
water supply (well water) approval, onsite sewage disposal system
approval. If the water is from the municipality, it is considered an
approved source. If the establishment is on a public sewage system,
no additional documentation is needed.
1.7.2 When a HACCP Plan is
Required
A. Before engaging in an
activity that requires a HACCP plan, a permit applicant or permit
holder shall submit to RIDOH for approval a properly prepared HACCP
plan as specified the relevant provisions of the Code if:
1. Submission of a HACCP plan
is required according to law;
2. A variance is required as
specified under §§ 3-401.11 (D)(3),
3-502.11 ,
4-204.110(B) of the Code;
3. Engaging in activities such
as those being used as a method to preserve food including smoking,
acidification, curing, and the addition of additives as well as juice
processing and reduced oxygen packaging. RIDOH determines that a food
preparation or processing method requires a variance based on a plan
submittal specified in § 1.7.1 of this Part, an inspectional
finding, or a variance request.
B. Before engaging in reduced
oxygen packaging without a variance as specified under § 3-502.12 of
the Code for sous vide and cook-chill, a permit applicant or permit
holder shall submit a properly prepared HACCP plan to RIDOH.
1.7.3 Contents of a HACCP
Plan
A. For a food service
establishment that is required under § 8-201.13
of the Code to have a HACCP plan, the plan and specifications shall
indicate:
1. General information such as
the name of the permit applicant or permit holder, the food
establishment address, and contact information;
2. A categorization of the
types of time/temperature control for safety foods that are to be
controlled under the HACCP Plan; and
3. A flow diagram or chart for
each specific food or category type that identifies:
a. Each step in the process;
b. The hazards and controls
for each step in the flow diagram or
chart;
c. The steps that are critical
control points;
d. The ingredients, materials,
and equipment used in the preparation of that food; and
e. Formulations or recipes
that delineate methods and procedural control measures that address
the food safety concerns involved.
4. A critical control points
summary for each specific food or category type that clearly
identifies:
a. Each critical control
point;
b. The critical limits for
each critical control point;
c. The method and frequency
for monitoring and controlling each critical control point by the
designated food employee or the person in charge;
d. The method and frequency
for the person in charge to routinely verify that the food employee
is following standard operating procedures and monitoring critical
control points;
e. Action to be taken by
designated food employee or person in charge if the critical limits
for each critical control point are not met; and
f. Records to be maintained by
the person in charge to demonstrate that the HACCP plan is properly
operated and managed.
5. Supporting documents such
as:
a. Food employee and
supervisory training plan that addresses the food safety issues of
concern;
b. Copies of blank records
forms that are necessary to implement the HACCP Plan;
c. Additional scientific data
or other information, as required by RIDOH, supporting the
determination that food safety is not compromised by the proposal
6. Any other information
required by RIDOH.
1.7.4 Performance and
Risk-Based Inspections
A. RIDOH shall prioritize, and
conduct inspections based upon its assessment of a food
establishment's history of compliance with the Code and these
Regulations and the establishment's potential as a vector of
foodborne illness by evaluating:
1. Past performance, for
nonconformance with the Code and these Regulations or HACCP plan
requirements that are critical;
2. Past performance, for
numerous or repeat violations of the Code and these Regulations or
HACCP plan requirements that are noncritical;
3. Past performance, for
complaints investigated and found to be valid;
4. The hazards associated with
the particular foods that are prepared, stored, or served;
5. The type of operation
including the methods and extent of food storage, preparation, and
service;
6. The number of people
served; and
7. Whether the population
served is a highly susceptible population.
1.7.5 Responsibilities of
the Permit Holder
In addition to the §
8.304.11 of the Code, permit holders must provide immediate access to
shopper card and customer information when needed during an
investigation for a foodborne illness or other imminent threat to
public health.
1.8 Supplemental Regulations for
Mobile Food Establishments
In addition to the specific
requirements of these Regulations, the following apply to Mobile Food
Establishments:
1.8.1 Classifications of
Mobile Food Establishments (MFE)
A. MFE Type 1
1. Commercially processed
prepackaged food that is Non-Time Temperature Control for Safety Food
(i.e. cookies, crackers, potato chips, pretzels).
2. Commercially processed
prepackaged Time Temperature Control for Safety Food that is ready to
eat (i.e. cold sandwiches, ice cream).
3. Dispensed bulk Non-Time
Temperature Control for Safety Food (i.e. popcorn, roasted nuts,
frozen lemonade).
4. Precooked, low-risk Time
Temperature Control for Safety Food (i.e. hot dogs, precooked
sandwiches).
5. Requirements:
a. Adequate cold holding if
Time Temperature Control for Safety Food
b. No commissary needed
c. No hand sink required
B. MFE Type 2
1. Time Temperature Control
for Safety Food for same day service (i.e. hamburgers, grilled
sandwiches).
2. Reheating commercially
processed Time Temperature Control for Safety Food (i.e. reheating
canned soups)
3. Shellfish shucking
4. Requirements:
a. Adequate cold holding
b. Adequate cooking and hot
holding equipment
c. Hand sink
d. Three-bay sink
e. Manager certified in food
safety as required under "Certification of Managers in Food
Safety" (Part 2 of this Subchapter).
f. Purchase food daily or need
commissary for food storage, potable water source, and wastewater
disposal.
g. Tags for Shellfish
C. MFE Type 3
1. Complex Time Temperature
Control for Safety Food that includes advanced preparation and/or
cooling (i.e. chowders, meatballs)
2. Requirements:
a. Adequate cold holding
b. Adequate cooking and hot
holding equipment
c. Hand sink
d. Three-bay sink
e. Manager certified in food
safety as required under "Certification of Managers in Food
Safety" (Part 2 of this Subchapter).
f. Commissary for food
preparation and/or storage, potable water source, and wastewater
disposal.
1.8.2 Food Operation
Limitation
RIDOH may limit and/or modify
the nature of the food service operation and/or the type of food
served by a mobile food establishment to protect the health and
safety of the public. Mobile Food Establishment operations may be
limited regarding types of food and methods of preparation.
1.8.3 Mobile Food
Establishment Vendor Requirements
A. Plan Review
1. Any person desiring to
operate any Mobile Food Establishment shall submit structural and
operating plans.
a. The structural plan should
include the materials and layout of the Mobile Food Establishment,
dimensions, mechanical schematics, plumbing, equipment and the finish
schedule.
b. Standard operating
procedures shall include menu, methods of preparation and temperature
control, food and water sources, employee health and hygiene, staff
training and wastewater disposal.
1.8.4 Application
Requirements
A. An applicant shall submit
an application for a permit at least thirty (30) days in advance of
operation.
B. An applicant shall pay the
required fee for Mobile Food Establishment License.
C. An applicant shall provide:
1. Vehicle identification
number (VIN) of the vehicle used for the Mobile Food Establishment.
2. The license plate number
and State of issuance of the vehicle used for the mobile unit.
3. The menu and methods of
preparation.
4. A signed agreement with a
licensed Commissary when applicable
D. Unapproved license
applications may be returned to the applicant with information
regarding the reason(s) for not approving the license.
E. The following Mobile Food
Establishments may be exempt from obtaining a permit:
1. Food which is sold,
offered, displayed for sale, or served at the establishment does not
constitute a potential or actual hazard to the public health.
Exemptions include but are not limited to:
a. Commercially bottled or
canned beverages, including water, that do not require refrigeration
and are served from the sealed original properly labeled container
without addition of ice or other regulated product.
b. Sealed, commercially
packaged food not requiring time temperature control from an approved
source with proper labeling including but not limited to candy bars
and other similar food.
1.8.5 Approval Procedure
A. RIDOH shall conduct an
inspection of Mobile Food establishment and approve or reject the
pending license based on adherence to operational plan that was
previously submitted.
B. RIDOH shall record the
findings on an inspection report and furnish the original to the
Mobile Food Establishment.
C. The Mobile Food
Establishment shall ensure that all documented violations are
corrected as specified on the health inspection report.
D. Any changes in the
operation including the commissary, menu and mobile food
establishment must be approved by the RIDOH.
1.8.6 General Requirements
A. Supervision
1. Each Mobile Food
Establishment shall have a designated Person in Charge responsible
for knowledge of, and compliance with, these Regulations. Such person
shall be on-site and accessible during all hours of operation of the
Mobile Food Establishment. Facilities without such Person in Charge
shall not be approved to open or operate.
2. Except for § 1.8.6(A)(3)
of this Part, the Mobile Food Establishment shall have a Manager
Certified in Food Safety as specified in "Certification of
Managers in Food Safety" (Part 2 of this Subchapter).
3. As specified in these
Regulations, Mobile Food Establishments that serve only commercially
prepackaged foods, beverages and commercially precooked potentially
hazardous foods requiring no manual handling and/or when only cold
foods are prepared and there is no modified atmospheric packaging, a
Manager Certified in Food Safety may not be required.
B. Food Preparation
1. All food handling and
preparation shall take place within the Licensed Mobile Food
Establishment unless prepared at an approved Commissary.
2. Food employees shall
eliminate bare hand contact with ready-to-eat food by suitable means
including but not limited to deli paper, spatulas, tongs, single-use
nonlatex gloves, or dispensing equipment.
3. Food employees shall
minimize hand and arm contact with exposed food that is not in ready
to eat form.
4. Hands shall be washed
before donning gloves for working with food and after removing gloves
when handling raw animal products.
5. Food employees of a mobile
food establishment shall not use a pair of gloves intended for a
single use for more than one purpose, and shall discard the gloves
after they are damaged or soiled, or after the process of preparing
food has been interrupted.
C. Physical Structure
1. The interior walls and
ceiling of the Mobile Food Establishment shall be durable, smooth and
easily cleanable. Floors shall be constructed of nonabsorbent,
durable material. A floor covering such as carpeting or similar
material may not be installed in food preparation areas.
2. The exterior structure of
the Mobile Food Establishment shall effectively protect the interior
from the weather and the entry of insects, rodents and other animals.
3. A Mobile Food Establishment
shall not be used for living or sleeping quarters.
4. The Mobile Food
Establishment shall be maintained in good repair.
5. The Mobile Food
Establishment shall be kept clean and free of food debris, grease and
other dirt.
6. The light intensity shall
be sufficient for food preparation.
7. Adequate ventilation shall
be provided to keep the vehicle free of food debris, grease and other
dirt.
8. The water tank of the
Mobile Food Establishment shall meet the requirements specified
within these Regulations.
9. Sewage and liquid waste
shall be removed from a Mobile Food Establishment at an approved
Commissary or by a sewage transport vehicle.
D. Restroom Facilities
1. A toilet facility on a
Mobile Food Establishment shall be fully enclosed with a
tight-fitting self-closing door.
2. The toilet facility shall
be clean and in good repair.
3. The toilet facility shall
have toilet paper and a hand sink with water, soap and paper towels.
4. A Mobile Food Establishment
that does not have a toilet facility and that does business at a
location for more than sixty (60) minutes shall have access to a
toilet room located within two hundred (200) feet of the vehicle.
1.9 Supplemental
Regulations for Temporary Food Establishment
RIDOH may limit and/or modify
the nature of the food service operation and/or the type of food
served at the Temporary Food Establishment to protect the health and
safety of the public. Temporary Food Establishment operations may be
limited in terms of the number of individuals served, methods of
preparation and storage, the kinds of utensils used, or the type of
food served.
1.9.1 Sponsor Requirements
A. The event sponsor shall
complete the sponsor form thirty (30) days prior to the event.
B. The event sponsor shall
inform RIDOH of any changes or additions made after the original
application was reviewed.
C. The event sponsor shall
notify temporary food establishments that will be associated with the
special event that they are required to make advance application for
a permit to operate.
D. The event sponsor shall
ensure that unapproved temporary food establishments do not operate
at or during the special event.
1.9.2 Site Requirements
A. Temporary Food
Establishments shall be constructed and located to minimize the risk
of food contamination from external sources including, but not
limited to sewage, flooding, dust, inspects and vermin.
B. Outdoor open food
operations shall have overhead protection unless otherwise specified
by the local fire authority.
C. Temporary food
establishments may not be closer than fifty (50) feet from any
non-sewered toilets and/or animal pens. The fifty (50) foot setback
requirement may be waived by if public health concerns are not
compromised.
1.9.3 Responsibilities of
the Sponsor
A. The event sponsor shall be
responsible for all items as specified on the event sponsor
application which may include, but it not limited to the following:
1. The event coordinator shall
ensure that there is an adequate potable water supply for cooking
purposes, handwashing, and cleaning and sanitization of equipment,
utensils and food contact surfaces.
2. A public water supply shall
be protected with the appropriate backflow prevention device.
Non-food grade or garden hoses shall not be used for delivery of
water for human consumption or food preparation.
3. Handwashing sinks shall be
located at all toileting areas utilized by food handlers, including
all non-sewered toilet area.
a. The operator of a special
event shall provide at least one facility for hand washing for each
group of toilet facilities.
b. Handwashing sinks shall be
adequately serviced, stocked and maintained during the event with
soap in a pump dispense and single-use paper towels dispensed in a
sanitary manner.
4. Adequate power shall be
supplied by the event sponsor to those temporary food establishments
that require electrical or mechanical means to hold food products at
required temperatures. When mechanical refrigeration is used, power
shall be provided in advance to bring units down to adequate
temperatures.
5. When central refrigeration
services for food vendors are provided, the event sponsor shall
ensure that equipment is capable of maintaining food at required
temperature. When equipment is not maintaining food at required
temperature, it shall be taken out of service and any temperature
abused food shall be discarded.
6. A minimum of twenty (20)
foot-candles of artificial light shall be provided after dusk in all
common areas.
7. Common warewashing
facilities, if provided, shall be maintained as specified in these
Regulations, and drain into an approved sewage disposal system.
8. The event sponsor shall
ensure that an adequate number of toilet facilities are provided for
patron and participant use so as not to create a nuisance or public
health hazard.
a. When the number of sewered
toilets is insufficient, non-sewered toilets shall be provided.
b. All toilets shall be
adequately serviced, stocked with dispenser-held toilet tissue, and
maintained during the event.
9. Hoses connected to potable
water sources shall meet the requirements as specified in these
Regulations.
10. The event coordinator
shall ensure that all waste water generated at an event is discharged
as specified in these Regulations.
11. The event coordinator
shall ensure proper disposal of garbage.
a. The event coordinator shall
provide for the removal of any solid waste scattered on the event
premises as a result of event activities, including the removal of
such waste during and at the conclusion of the event. Trash
receptacles shall be emptied as often as necessary to prevent
excessive accumulation of solid waste so as not to create a public
health nuisance.
12. Animal attractions shall
not create nuisance, odors, or fly problems that impact food service
operations. RIDOH may impose additional restrictions and requirements
to ensure the health of the public.
1.9.4 Application
Requirements
A. Except for § 1.9.4(F) of
this Part, a person desiring to operate any temporary food
establishment shall submit a written application for a permit in
accordance with these Regulations.
1. An applicant shall submit
an application for a permit at least thirty (30) days in advance of
event.
2. An applicant shall pay the
required fee for the temporary event license.
3. An applicant should
complete the temporary event form and submit it with the written
application a temporary event license.
4. If approved by RIDOH, the
Temporary Food Establishment will receive a license.
5. Unapproved license
applications will be returned to the applicant with information
regarding the reason(s) for not approving the license.
6. The following food
establishments may be exempt from obtaining a permit:
a. A religious, charitable or
other non-profit organization that sells food occasionally to raise
money, provided the sale occurs on the premises of the organization.
If the sale is to occur off the premises of the organization, a
permit shall be required.
b. Food which is sold,
offered, displayed for sale or served at the establishment does not
constitute a potential or actual hazard to the public health.
Exemptions include but are not limited to:
(1) Commercially bottled or
canned beverages, including water, that do not require refrigeration,
and are served from the sealed original properly labeled container
without addition of ice or other regulated product.
(2) Sealed, commercially
packaged food not requiring time temperature control from an approved
source with proper labeling including but not limited to candy bars
and other similar food.
1.9.5 Approval Procedure
A. RIDOH shall conduct an
inspection of the Temporary Food Establishment at the special event
and approve or reject the license.
B. RIDOH shall record the
findings on an inspection report and furnish the original to the
Temporary Food Establishment.
C. The Temporary Food
Establishment shall ensure that all documented violations are
corrected as specified on the health inspection report.
1.9.6 General Requirements
A. Each temporary food
establishment shall have a designated Person in Charge responsible
for knowledge of, and compliance with these Regulations. Such Person
shall be on-site and accessible during all hours of operation of the
Temporary Food Establishment. Facilities without such Person in
Charge shall not be approved to open or operate.
B. When indicated by menu
and/or food preparation, the temporary food establishment may need a
manager certified in food safety as specified in "Certification
of Managers in Food Safety" (Part 2 of this Subchapter).
1.10 Enforcement
1.10.1 Denial, Suspension,
Revocation of Registration
A. RIDOH is authorized to
deny, suspend or revoke the registration of a food establishment for
just cause which includes but is not limited to:
1. Failure to comply with
these Regulations; and
2. Failure to comply with any
federal, state, or local laws and regulations relating to food and/or
food establishments.
B. Whenever an action shall be
proposed to deny, suspend, or revoke the registration of a food
business, RIDOH shall notify the food business by certified mail,
setting forth the reasons for the proposed action, and the applicant
or licensee shall be given an opportunity for a prompt and fair
hearing in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-9.
1. If RIDOH finds that public
health, safety or welfare imperatively requires emergency action and
incorporates a finding to that effect in its order, RIDOH may order
summary suspension or registration or curtailment of activities
pending proceedings for revocation or other action in accordance with
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-21
and R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-14(c) .
1.10.2 Other Enforcement
Actions
A. RIDOH is empowered to
institute such measures authorized by law which it deems appropriate
to secure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations. Any
such action shall include notice and opportunity for hearing,
provided; however, if an imminent health hazard exists the Director
may issue an immediate compliance order requiring immediate action
pursuant to the authority contained in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-1-21 .
B. According to R.I. Gen. Laws
§ 21-27-2, no person shall operate any food business within this
state except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and
the regulations adopted in accordance with this chapter.
1.10.3 Hearings and Reviews
All hearings and reviews
required under the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 21-31 and/or
R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-1 and these Regulations shall be held in
accordance with the provisions of the rules and regulations for
Practices and Procedures Before the Rhode Island Department of Health
(Part 10-05-4 of this Title).