[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 9, Volume 2]

[Revised as of January 1, 2007]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 9CFR354.221]



[Page 401-402]

 

                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS

 

     CHAPTER III--FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 

                               AGRICULTURE

 

PART 354_VOLUNTARY INSPECTION OF RABBITS AND EDIBLE PRODUCTS THEREOF

--Table of Contents

 

Sec. 354.221  Rooms and compartments.



    Rooms and compartments used for edible products shall be separate 

and distinct from inedible products departments and from rooms where 

rabbits are slaughtered and skinned. Separate rooms shall be provided 

when required for conducting processing operations in a sanitary manner, 

and all rooms shall be of sufficient size to permit the installation of 

the necessary equipment for processing operations and the conduct of 

such operations in a sanitary manner.

    (a) Rooms for separate operation. The official plant should have 

separate



[[Page 402]]



rooms for each of the following operations depending upon the various 

types of operations conducted, but, in no case, shall the receiving or 

holding of live rabbits or killing operations be permitted in rooms in 

which eviscerating operations are performed:

    (1) The receiving and feeding of live rabbits.

    (2) Killing and skinning operations.

    (3) Eviscerating, chilling, and packing operations for ready-to-cook 

rabbits.

    (4) Inedible products departments.

    (5) Refuse room.

    (b) Rooms for holding carcasses for further inspection. Rooms and 

compartments in which carcasses or parts thereof are held for further 

inspection shall be in such number and such location as the needs of the 

inspection in the plant may require. They shall be equipped with locks 

and keys and the keys shall not leave the custody of the inspector in 

charge of the plant. All such rooms and compartments shall be marked 

conspicuously with the word ``retained'' in letters not less than 2 

inches high.

    (c) Coolers and freezers. Coolers and freezers of adequate size and 

capacity shall be provided to reduce the internal temperature of ready-

to-cook rabbits prepared and otherwise handled in the plant to 36 

[deg]F. within 24 hours unless other cooling facilities are available.

    (d) Refuse rooms. Refuse rooms shall be entirely separate from other 

rooms in the plant, and shall have tight fitting doors and be properly 

ventilated.

    (e) Storage and supply rooms. The storage and supply rooms shall be 

in good repair, kept dry, and maintained in a sanitary condition.

    (f) Boiler room. The boiler room shall be a separate room, if 

necessary, to prevent its being a source of dirt and objectionable odors 

entering any room where ready-to-cook rabbits are prepared, processed, 

handled, and stored.

    (g) Inspector's office. Furnished office space, including, but not 

being limited to, light, heat, and janitor service shall be provided 

rent free in the official plant for the exclusive use for official 

purposes of the inspector and the Administration. The room or rooms set 

apart for this purpose must meet with the approval of the regional 

supervisor and be conveniently located, properly ventilated, and 

provided with lockers or cabinets suitable for the protection and 

storage of supplies and with facilities suitable for inspectors to 

change clothing.

    (h) Toilet rooms. Toilet rooms opening directly into rooms where 

rabbit products are exposed shall have self-closing doors and shall be 

ventilated to the outside of the building.