[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 9, Volume 2]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

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

[CITE: 9CFR318.302]



[Page 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. 318.302  Thermal processing.



    (a) Process schedules. Prior to the processing of canned product for 

distribution in commerce, an establishment shall have a process schedule 

(as defined in Sec. 318.300(n) of this subpart) for each canned meat 

product to be packed by the establishment.

    (b) Source of process schedules. (1) Process schedules used by an 

establishment shall be developed or determined by a processing 

authority.

    (2) Any change in product formulation, ingredients, or treatments 

that are not already incorporated in a process schedule and that may 

adversely affect either the product heat penetration profile or 

sterilization value requirements shall be evaluated by the 

establishment's processing authority. If it is determined that any such 

change adversely affects the adequacy of the process schedule, the 

processing authority shall amend the process schedule accordingly.

    (3) Complete records concerning all aspects of the development or 

determination of a process schedule, including any associated incubation 

tests, shall be made available by the establishment to the Program 

employee upon request.

    (c) Submittal of process information. (1) Prior to the processing of 

canned product for distribution in commerce, the establishment shall 

provide the inspector at the establishment with a list of the process 

schedules (including alternate schedules) along with any additional 

applicable information, such as the retort come-up operating procedures 

and critical factors.

    (2) Letters or other written communications from a processing 

authority recommending all process schedules shall be maintained on file 

by the establishment. Upon request by Program employees, the 

establishment shall make available such letters or written 

communications (or copies thereof). If critical factors are identified 

in the process schedule, the establishment shall provide the inspector 

with a copy of the procedures for measuring, controlling, and recording 

these factors, along with the frequency of such measurements, to ensure 

that the critical factors remain within the limits used to establish the 

process schedule. Once submitted, the process schedules and associated 

critical factors and the procedures for measuring (including the 

frequency), controlling, and recording of critical factors shall not be 

changed without the prior written submittal of the revised procedures 

(including supporting documentation) to the inspector at the 

establishment.



(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 

0583-0015)