Food processing establishments: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans.

Under existing law, the California Food Sanitation Act, a food processing establishment is required to satisfy prescribed sanitation requirements for purposes of food safety. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would require a food processing facility to adopt and implement a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan, as prescribed, including provisions for the testing of food and ingredients for the presence of specified hazards to public health. The bill would also impose reporting and recordkeeping requirements on food processing facilities, as specified. The bill would impose these requirements commencing January 1, 2012, or January 1, 2013, depending upon the gross annual revenue of the food processing facility. This bill would require the State Department of Public Health to establish minimum standards and requirements for the HACCP plans, and review adopted plans for compliance. This bill would also require the department to conduct inspections, as prescribed, and would authorize the department to increase its annual inspection fee to include, but not exceed, the cost of this additional inspection component. The bill would require a food processing facility to test its food and ingredients, as prescribed. Because this bill would create a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.