Title 18 . Environmental Conservation

Chapter 34 . Administrative Enforcement

Section 960. Seafood processing facility recognition program

18 AAC 34.960. Seafood processing facility recognition program

(a) Under the department's seafood processing facility recognition program, a processor may apply for a certificate of recognition from the department for a seafood processing facility. The department will issue a certificate of recognition to a seafood processing facility if

(1) the processor submits to the department

(A) an application for recognition on a form provided by the department;

(B) details of the employee training course provided under (3)(A) and (B) of this subsection; and

(C) the fee required under 18 AAC 34.900(d) ;

(2) during the 12 months before the date that the department receives the processor's submission under (1) of this subsection,

(A) the processor maintains a minimum score of 92 at the facility with immediate correction of violations;

(B) a known foodborne illness outbreak was not associated with the facility; and

(C) the department did not pursue or undertake a compliance action against the facility; for purposes of this subparagraph, a compliance action includes a modification, suspension, or revocation of the seafood processing permit; a notice of violation under 18 AAC 34.940, a negotiated order, a uniform summons and complaint, or a compliance order under AS 46.03;

(3) currently and on a continual basis, the processor

(A) participates in training offered by the

(i) Marine Advisory Program at the University of Alaska; or

(ii) the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute;

(B) provides onsite, or through a course offering, and within 30 days of hire, food safety training to each employee; training must include, at a minimum, information about HACCP plans under 18 AAC 34.045, sanitation, food protection, temperature control, personal cleanliness, employee illness, employee practices, and equipment and utensil cleaning and sanitizing; and

(C) conducts routine self-inspections at least once a month on a form provided by the department; the completed self-inspection forms must be available for department review upon request; and

(4) the department determines that recognition serves the interests of public health and consumer protection.

(b) If the department determines that the requirements of (a) of this section are met, the department will

(1) issue to the seafood processing facility a certificate of recognition and logos for posting at the facility and for use in advertising; and

(2) list the seafood processing facility

(A) in a monthly department press release of facilities recognized during that month; and

(B) on the internet website of the department.

(c) If a seafood processing facility with a certificate of recognition under this section fails to maintain standards as required in this section, the department will notify the processor in writing of the actions required to maintain recognition, and will provide the facility with a schedule to meet the standards. If the processor fails to complete the actions required to maintain recognition within the scheduled time frame, the department will immediately withdraw the processor's certificate of recognition.

(d) A certificate of recognition under this section is valid for one year. A processor whose seafood processing facility has not been recognized under this section or whose recognition has expired or been withdrawn by the department may not use the logo issued under this section or assert or imply that the facility has a certificate of recognition under this section.

History: Eff. 12/2/99, Register 152

Authority: AS 17.20.005

AS 17.20.220

AS 44.46.020