Letter Re: AFC Sushi Rice HACCP Plan - Environmental Health ...

Division of Environmental HealthTerry L. Pierce, DirectorState of North CarolinaMichael F. Easley, GovernorDepartment of Environment andNatural ResourcesWilliam G. Ross, SecretaryNovember 1, 2006Ms. Sharonlea WrightCompliance Dept.AFC Franchise Corporation19205 S. Laurel Park Rd.Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220RE: AFC Sushi Rice HACCP PlanMs. Wright:The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Dairy and FoodProtection Branch has reviewed your request that AFC Franchise Corporation’s sushi riceHACCP plan be considered in compliance with North Carolina’s “Rules Governing theSanitation of Food Service Establishments.” The information submitted for review consisted of aHACCP plan for sushi rice, Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs), pH verificationprocedures, and letters of guarantee.The Department requested a technical evaluation of your request from the Food Safety StandardsCommittee (FSSC). The FSSC is a committee consisting of members of academia and state andlocal regulatory entities that is tasked by the Department with reviewing requests from industryfor specialized food processes.Based on the data submitted, the sushi rice HACCP plan is approved as long as the followingcontrols are effectively in place:• Employees must be trained on the SSOPs, pH verification procedures, the sushi riceHACCP plan, and the conditions of this approval;• A pH log shall be maintained to verify compliance with the pH requirements of theHACCP plan;• The Department shall be informed of any significant changes in the product ormanufacturing process that may affect the accuracy of challenge test data or HACCP plancriteria;• The controls for meeting the conditions of the approval shall be assessed at eachscheduled inspection;• A copy of this approval letter and AFC Franchise Corporation’s sushi rice HACCP planmust be kept in the establishment at all times and readily available for review by localhealth department field personnel or other regulatory authorities.Based on these recommendations, the Department will consider you to be in compliance with theNorth Carolina Rules Governing the Sanitation of Foodhandling Establishments so long as theabove controls are satisfactorily in place. These requirements apply to all AFC FranchiseCorporation establishments located within North Carolina.

Division of Environmental HealthTerry L. Pierce, DirectorState of North CarolinaMichael F. Easley, GovernorDepartment of Environment andNatural ResourcesWilliam G. Ross, SecretaryIf you have questions or comments concerning this approval, please feel free to contact me.Sincerely,Susan C. Grayson, Branch HeadDairy and Food Protection BranchNorth Carolina Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesCC.Cris Harrelson, ChairFood Safety Standards CommitteeDairy and Food Protection Branch