15A NCAC 18A .2808      FOOD SERVICE

(a)  In child care centers, milk and milk products used for drinking purposes shall be stored in the original commercially filled container until the milk or milk product is served for drinking. Unused milk and milk products that are transferred from the original commercially filled container into a separate container, such as a pitcher, for serving shall be discarded and shall not be put back into the original commercial filled container or stored in the container that was used for serving.

(b)  Ice shall be protected against physical, chemical, and biological contamination and shall be kept clean. Ice shall be dispensed with scoops, tongs, or other ice‑dispensing utensils or through automatic ice‑dispensing equipment. Ice‑dispensing utensils shall be stored on a clean surface or in the ice with the dispensing utensil's handle extended out of the ice. Between uses, ice transfer receptacles shall be kept clean. Ice storage bins shall be drained through an air gap in accordance with in Part 5-202.13 of the Food Code incorporated by reference at 15A NCAC 18A .2650 as amended by 15A NCAC 18A .2655.

(c)  Food that is leftover after serving shall not be served again unless the original package is unopened and the food is not a potentially hazardous food. Foods that have been placed on the table for family style or self-serve food service are considered served.

(d)  Between uses during service, utensils that are used to serve food shall be stored in the food with the utensil handle extended out of the food, in a container of water if the water is maintained at a temperature of at least 135 degrees Fahrenheit, or stored clean and dry.

(e)  Children shall not be in the kitchen except when participating in a supervised activity.

(f)  Nothing in this Section shall be construed as prohibiting family style or self-serve food service at child care centers provided that children are supervised by child care center employees for the duration of the meal. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, family style or self-serve food service shall be prohibited during the outbreak and investigation of a communicable disease or condition at the child care center.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110‑91;

Eff. July 1, 1991;

Amended Eff January 1, 2006; April 1, 1999; February 1, 1995;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2023.