37.111.320    FOOD EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS

(1) Multi-use food equipment and utensils must be:

(a) constructed and repaired with safe materials, including finishing materials;

(b) corrosion resistant and nonabsorbent; and

(c) smooth , easily cleanable, and durable under conditions of normal use.

(2) Single-service articles must be made from clean, sanitary and safe materials.

(3) Food equipment, utensils and single-service articles may not impart odors, color or taste, nor contribute to the contamination of food.

(4) Food equipment must be installed according to manufacturer's instructions.

(5) Hard maple or other nonabsorbent material that meets the general requirements set forth in (1) may be used for kitchen utensils, cutting blocks, cutting boards, salad bowls and baker's tables. Wood may be used for single-service articles, such as chop sticks, stirrers or ice cream spoons.

(6) Safe plastic, safe rubber or safe rubber-like materials are permitted for repeated use if they:

(a) are resistant under normal conditions of use to scratching, scoring and decomposition;

(b) are of sufficient weight and thickness to permit cleaning and sanitizing by normal dishwashing methods; and

(c) meet the general requirements set forth in (1) .

(7) Re-use of single-service articles is prohibited.

(8) Food-contact surfaces must be easily cleanable, smooth and free of breaks, open seams, cracks, chips, pits and similar imperfections. Cast iron may be used as a food-contact surface only if the surface is heated, such as in grills, griddle tops and skillets.

(9) Surfaces not intended for contact with food debris or which otherwise require frequent cleaning must be washable, nonabsorbent, accessible for cleaning and must be of such materials and in such repair as to be easily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

(10) Ventilation hoods and devices must be designed and installed to prevent grease or condensation from collecting on walls and ceilings and dripping into food or onto food-contact surfaces. Filters or other grease extracting equipment must be readily removable for cleaning and replacement if not designed to be cleaned in place.

(11) Food equipment that was installed in a bed and breakfast establishment prior to July 1, 2003 that does not fully meet all the design and fabrication requirements of this rule may be used if they are in good repair, capable of being maintained in a sanitary condition and the food-contact surfaces are nontoxic, except that:

(a) refrigeration equipment must be capable of holding potentially hazardous foods at or below 45°F (7°C) ;

(b) bed and breakfast establishments serving up to 10 meals per day that have only a two compartment dishwashing sink must install a heat-boosted domestic dishwashing machine or an adequate three compartment dishwashing sink;

(c) bed and breakfast establishments serving more than 10 meals per day must have a three compartment dishwashing sink; and

(d) bed and breakfast establishments licensed on or before July 1, 2003 must meet the provisions of (11) (c) within five years from July 1, 2003, when applicable.

(12) All replacement food equipment and new food equipment acquired after July 1, 2003 must meet the requirements of this rule.

History: Sec. 50-51-103 and 50-51-108, MCA; IMP, Sec. 50-51-103, MCA; NEW, 2003 MAR p. 1338, Eff. 7/1/03.