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Subject
hot water for hand washing
Response By Email (RE@askFSIS) (02/18/2021 12:13 PM)
Hi Roberto
Thank you for your question to askFSIS.
There is really no specific temperature requirement for hot water or cold water or a time frame for how long it should take to reach maximum temperature.
*[The Agency does not have a specific regulation for a hot water temperature requirement with the exception of 9 CFR 381.36©(1)(viii) and 9 CFR 311.16(b) (in this particular case it may be possible to use a chemical sanitizer instead of the water sanitizer).]
9 CFR 416.2(g)(1) only requires a supply of running water that complies with the National Primary Drinking Water regulations (40 CFR part 141) at a suitable temperature and under pressure as needed, must be provided in all areas where required (for processing product, for cleaning rooms, equipment, utensils, and packaging materials).
On the other hand, 9 CFR 416.2(h)(2) addresses lavatories (i.e., restrooms) with running hot and cold water, soap, and towels, must be placed in or near toilet and urinal rooms and at such other places in the establishment as necessary to ensure cleanliness of all persons handling any product. This regulation requires hot and cold running water as necessary to ensure the cleanliness of all persons handling product. Note that there is not a specific requirement for the temperature of hot or cold water, but the intent of the regulation is that the lavatories have water temperature sufficient to ensure employees can effectively clean their hands and maintain sanitary conditions.
- Hot water (and the temperature of) supplied for handwashing should be adequate for cleaning hands. Also, it should be at a temperature that does not scald the hands. Based on guidelines from the FDA Food Code, temperatures of 100°F are mentioned as adequate. While this FDA guideline cannot be viewed as a FSIS regulatory requirement, it could represent a best-case scenario.
In summary, there really is no specific water temperature requirement for hand washing or cleaning of equipment/utensils in a slaughter or processing facility with the exception of 9 CFR 381.36©(1)(viii) and 9 CFR 311.16(b). Ultimately, it may be up to the judgment of the IIC or frontline supervisor. Keep in mind the establishment also has the right, under 9 CFR 306.5, 9 CFR 381.35 and 9 CFR 590.310, to appeal any inspection decision that it feels is not supported. Information addressing the appeal process can be found that the following link: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/fb80c1b0-4e21-4db3-9003-93405f780c98/Appealing-Inspection-Decisions.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.
I hope this information is helpful. Should you have additional questions regarding this issue, feel free to update this incident to provide any information you feel is relevant to the subject and we will be glad to provide an updated response.
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Auto-Response By (Administrator) (02/18/2021 11:05 AM)
askFSIS and Small Plant Help Desk are Moving to a New Platform
On February 19th, 2021 askFSIS and the Small Plant Help Desk will be transferred to a new data management platform. This change will result in some improvements. For example, in the new system, customers can simply submit their question directly from the web interface without the need to create an account or login. This change will also seamlessly connect askFSIS and the Small Plant Help Desk to Ask USDA and help further improve customer service. Existing customers will have until February 18th to save any of their submitted questions. You can find instructions for saving your questions on the askFSIS and Small Plant Help Desk account page.
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Policy Development Staff
Customer By CSS Web (Erika Villalobos) (02/18/2021 11:05 AM)
our iic is requiring that hot water become available instantly, we have a cold room and it takes a few minutes for hot water to be available.what is the regulation on hot water?
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