La. Admin. Code tit. 49 § I-1225

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-1225 - Depuration-Plant Operation [Formerly 49:6.1130]

A. Source of Shellfish. Shellfish shall be accepted for treatment at a shellfish depuration plant only from areas approved for this purpose by the Department of Health and Hospitals. A detailed description of all areas from which shellfish may be taken for depuration or wet storage, updated as necessary, shall be maintained by the Department of Health and Hospitals.

B. Shellfish Containers. Shellfish shall be accepted for treatment and released after treatment or wet storage in clean containers only.

C. Culling. All untreated shellfish upon arrival at the plant, shall be thoroughly inspected and culled by the plant supervisor or assistant plant supervisor. All dead shellfish, or shellfish in broken or cracked shells shall be destroyed.

D. Washing Shellfish. Before treatment, all shellfish shall be thoroughly washed or hosed with water taken from a source approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals. After treatment, all shellfish shall be thoroughly washed again with water taken from a source approved by the Department or Health and Hospitals.

E. Baskets Used in Treatment Process. All baskets used in the treatment process shall be of suitable size, designed for easy handling, and made of impervious material(s). Baskets shall be designed to allow water to flow freely over the shellfish in the treatment tanks. Baskets shall not be filled beyond the level which will allow free circulation of water during the treatment process. The height of the shellfish in the baskets shall not exceed 3 inches. Baskets shall be stacked in such a manner as to allow free circulation of water. Containers used for treatment or wet storage purposes shall not be used for any other purpose and no other equipment shall be stored in the treatment tanks.

F. Shellfish Treatment. All shellfish, upon receipt at the depuration or wet storage plant, shall be promptly treated or placed in controlled storage. Shellfish undergoing depuration shall be treated for a minimum period of 48 hours or for such time as authorized by the Department of Health and Hospitals. There shall be no predetermined time limits imposed upon shell fish held in wet storage.

G. Washing Treatment Tanks. After undergoing 24 hours of depuration, the shellfish shall be removed from the tanks and hosed down thoroughly with water from a supply approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals. The empty depuration tanks shall then be flushed with potable water to remove all filth and waste matter. The depuration tanks shall be sanitized with an approved sanitizing agent prior to being refilled with shellfish and treated sea water. When wet storage is practiced the tanks shall be drained, flush, and sanitized a minimum of once every seven days.

La. Admin. Code tit. 49, § I-1225

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Preventive and Public Health Services, LR 11:550 (May 1985), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health LR16:414 (May 1990).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, Title 40, as amended.