Article 5. Haccp Exemptions of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 104. >> Part 7. >> Chapter 13. >> Article 5.

(a) Food facilities may engage in any of the following activities only pursuant to an HACCP plan as specified in Section 114419.1:
  (1) Smoking food as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement.
  (2) Curing food.
  (3) Using food additives or adding components such as vinegar as a method of food preservation rather than as a method of flavor enhancement, or to render a food so that it is not potentially hazardous.
  (4) Operating a molluscan shellfish life support system display tank used to store and display shellfish that are offered for human consumption.
  (5) Custom processing animals that are for personal use as food and not for sale or service in a food facility.
  (6) Preparing food by another method that is determined by the enforcement agency to require an HACCP plan.
  (b) Food facilities may engage in the following only pursuant to an HACCP plan that has been approved by the department:
  (1) Using acidification or water activity to prevent the growth of Clostridium botulinum.
  (2) Packaging potentially hazardous food using a reduced-oxygen packaging method as specified in Section 114057.1.

For a food facility that is required under Section 114419 to have an HACCP plan, the plan and specifications shall indicate all of the following:
  (a) A flow diagram of the specific food for which the HACCP plan is requested, identifying critical control points and providing information on the following:
  (1) Ingredients, materials, and equipment used in the preparation of that food.
  (2) Formulations or recipes that delineate methods and procedural control measures that address the food safety concerns involved.
  (b) A food employee and supervisory training plan that addresses the food safety issues of concern.
  (c) A statement of standard operating procedures for the plan under consideration including clearly identifying the following:
  (1) Each critical control point.
  (2) The critical limits for each critical control point.
  (3) The method and frequency for monitoring and controlling each critical control point by the food employee designated by the person in charge.
  (4) 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.
  (5) Action to be taken by the person in charge if the critical limits for each critical control point are not met.
  (6) Records to be maintained by the person in charge to demonstrate that the HACCP plan is properly operated and managed.
  (d) Additional scientific data or other information, as required by the department, supporting the determination that food safety is not compromised by the proposal.

(a) Applicable HACCP training shall be provided and documented for food employees who work in the preparation of food for which an HACCP plan has been implemented. Training given to food employees shall be documented as to date, trainer, and subject.
  (b) Verification of critical limits specified in an HACCP plan shall be conducted by a laboratory approved by the department prior to implementation of the HACCP plan. Documentation of laboratory verification shall be maintained with the HACCP plan for the duration of its implementation.
  (c) No verification of the effectiveness of a critical limit shall be required if the critical limits used in the HACCP plan do not differ from the critical limits set forth in this part.
  (d) The person operating a food facility pursuant to a HACCP plan shall designate at least one person to be responsible for verification of the HACCP plan. Training for the designated person shall include the seven principles of HACCP and the contents of the HACCP plan as described in Section 114419.1. HACCP training records of the designated person shall be retained for the duration of employment, or a period of not less than two years, whichever is greater.
  (e) Critical limit monitoring equipment shall be suitable for its intended purpose and shall be calibrated as specified by its manufacturer. The food facility shall maintain all calibration records for a period not less than two years.

(a) Except as specified in Section 114419, nothing in this section shall be deemed to require the enforcement agency to review or approve an HACCP plan.
  (b) The enforcement agency shall collect fees sufficient only to cover the costs for review, inspections, and any laboratory samples taken.
  (c) An HACCP plan may be disapproved if it does not comply with HACCP principles.
  (d) The enforcement agency may suspend or revoke its approval of an HACCP plan without prior notice if the agency finds any of the following:
  (1) The plan poses a public health risk due to changes in scientific knowledge or the hazards present.
  (2) The food facility does not have the ability to follow its HACCP plan.
  (3) The food facility does not consistently follow its HACCP plan.
  (e) Within 30 days of written notice of suspension or revocation of approval, the food facility may request a hearing to present information as to why the HACCP plan suspension or revocation should not have taken place or to submit HACCP plan changes.
  (f) The hearing shall be held within 15 working days of the receipt of a request for a hearing. Upon written request of the permitholder, the hearing officer may postpone any hearing date, if circumstances warrant that action.
  (g) The hearing officer shall issue a written notice of decision within five working days following the hearing. If the decision is to suspend or revoke approval, the reason for suspension or revocation shall be included in the written decision.

(a) Each food facility that identifies a trade secret shall provide in writing to the enforcement agency the information they consider to be a trade secret.
  (b) The enforcement agency shall treat as confidential, to the extent allowed by law, information that meets the criteria specified in law for a trade secret and is contained on inspection report forms and in the plans and specifications submitted as specified under Section 114419.1.

A microbial challenge study may be submitted to the enforcement agency for review for purposes of verifying that a food does not constitute a potentially hazardous food.