[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 9, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 9CFR318.303]

[Page 285-286]
 
                  TITLE 9--ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS
 
     CHAPTER III--FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF 
                               AGRICULTURE
 
PART 318_ENTRY INTO OFFICIAL ESTABLISHMENTS; REINSPECTION AND PREPARATION 
OF PRODUCTS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart G_Canning and Canned Products
 
Sec. 318.303  Critical factors and the application of the process 
schedule.

    Critical factors specified in the process schedule shall be 
measured, controlled and recorded by the establishment to ensure that 
these factors remain within the limits used to establish the process 
schedule. Examples of factors that are often critical to process 
schedule adequacy may include:
    (a) General. (1) Maximum fill-in weight or drained weight;
    (2) Arrangement of pieces in the container;
    (3) Container orientation during thermal processing;
    (4) Product formulation;

[[Page 286]]

    (5) Particle size;
    (6) Maximum thickness for flexible, and to some extent semirigid 
containers during thermal processing;
    (7) Maximum pH;
    (8) Percent salt;
    (9) Ingoing (or formulated) nitrite level (ppm);
    (10) Maximum water activity; and
    (11) Product consistency or viscosity.
    (b) Continuous rotary and batch agitating retorts. (1) Minimum 
headspace; and
    (2) Retort reel speed.
    (c) Hydrostatic retorts. (1) Chain or conveyor speed.
    (d) Steam/air retorts. (1) Steam/air ratio; and
    (2) Heating medium flow rate.