certificate covering product graded by him. In addition, a grader may issue a grading certificate covering product graded in whole or in part by another grader when the grader has knowledge that the product is eligible for certification based on personal examination of the product or official grading records.

(b) Other than resident grading. Each grader shall, in person or by his authorized agent, issue a grading certificate covering each product graded by him. A grader's name may be signed on a grading certificate by a person other than the grader, if such person has been designated as the authorized agent of such grader by the National Supervisor: Provided, That the certificate is prepared from an official memorandum of grading signed by the grader: And provided further, That a notarized power of attorney authorizing such signature has been issued to such person by the grader and is on file in the office of grading. In such case, the authorized agent shall sign both his own and the grader's name, e.g., "John Doe by Richard Roe."

[36 FR 9841, May 29, 1971, as amended at 36 FR 10937, June 5, 1971. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]

§ 56.57 Disposition of grading certificates.

The original and a copy of each grading certificate, issued pursuant to § 56.56, and not to exceed two additional copies thereof if requested by the applicant prior to issuance, shall, immediately upon issuance, be delivered or mailed to the applicant or person designated by him. Other copies shall be filed and retained in accordance with the disposition schedule for grading program records.

[36 FR 9842, May 29, 1971. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 46070, Oct. 15, 1982; 47 FR 54421, Dec. 3, 1982]

§ 56.58 Advance information.

Upon request of an applicant, all or part of the contents of any grading certificate issued to such applicant may be telephoned or telegraphed to him, or

to any person designated by him, at his expense.

[20 FR 673, Feb. 1, 1955. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]

APPEAL OF A GRADING OR DECISION

SOURCE: Sections 56.60 through 56.66 appear at 35 FR 9918, June 17, 1970, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981.

$56.60 Who may request an appeal grading or review of a grader's decision.

An appeal grading may be requested by any interested party who is dissatisfied with the determination by a grader of the class, quality, quantity, or condition of any product as evidenced by the USDA grademark and accompanying label, or as stated on a grading certificate and a review may be requested by the operator of an official plant with respect to a grader's decision or on any other matter related to grading in the official plant.

§ 56.61 Where to file an appeal.

(a) Appeal from resident grader's grading or decision in an official plant. Any interested party who is not satisfied with the determination of the class, quality, quantity, or condition of product which was graded by a grader in an official plant and has not left such plant, and the operator of any official plant who is not satisfied with a decision by a grader on any other matter related to grading in such plant may request an appeal grading or review of the decision by the grader by filing such request with the grader's immediate supervisor.

(b) All other appeal requests. Any interested party who is not satisfied with the class, quality, quantity, or condition of product which has left the official plant where it was graded or which was graded other than in an official plant may request an appeal grading by filing such request in the area where the product is located or with the Chief of the Grading Branch.

§ 56.62 How to file an appeal.

Any request for an appeal grading or review of a grader's decision may be

made orally or in writing. If made orally, written confirmation may be required. The applicant shall clearly state the reasons for requesting the appeal service and a description of the product, or the decision which is questioned. If such appeal request is based on the results stated on an official certificate, the original and all available copies of the certificate shall be returned to the appeal grader assigned to make the appeal grading.

§ 56.63 When an application for an appeal grading may be refused.

When it appears to the official with whom an appeal request is filed that the reasons given in the request are frivolous or not substantial, or that the quality or condition of the product has undergone a material change since the original grading, or that the original lot has changed in some manner, or the Act or the regulations in this part have not been complied with, the applicant's request for the appeal grading may be refused. In such case, the applicant shall be promptly notified of the reason(s) for such refusal.

§ 56.64 Who shall perform the appeal.

(a) An appeal grading or review of a decision requested under § 56.61(a) shall be made by the grader's immediate supervisor, or by a licensed grader assigned by the immediate supervisor other than the grader whose grading or decision is being appealed.

(b) Appeal gradings requested under § 56.61(b) shall be performed by a grader other than the grader who originally graded the product.

(c) Whenever practical, an appeal grading shall be conducted jointly by two graders. The assignment of the grader(s) who will make the appeal grading requested under § 56.61(b) shall be made by the regional director or the Chief of the Grading Branch.

[35 FR 9918, June 17, 1970, as amended at 40 FR 20056, May 8, 1975. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]

samples plus an equal number of samples.

(b) When the original samples are not available, the appeal sample size for the lot shall consist of double the samples required in § 56.4(b).

(c) Shell eggs shall not have been moved from the original place of grading and must have been maintained under adequate refrigeration and humidity conditions.

[35 FR 9918, June 17, 1970. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 46070, Oct. 15, 1982; 47 FR 54421, Dec. 3, 1982]

§ 56.66 Appeal grading certificates.

Immediately after an appeal grading is completed, an appeal certificate shall be issued to show that the original grading was sustained or was not sustained. Such certificate shall supersede any previously issued certificate for the product involved and shall clearly identify the number and date of the superseded certificate. The issuance of the appeal certificate may be withheld until any previously issued certificate and all copies have been returned when such action is deemed necessary to protect the interest of the Government. When the appeal grader assigns a different grade to the lot, the existing grade mark shall be changed or obliterated as necessary. When the appeal grader assigns a different class or quantity designation to the lot, the labeling shall be corrected.

FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

§ 56.75 Applicability of facility and operating requirements.

The provisions of § 56.76 shall be applicable to any grading service that is provided on a resident basis.

[28 FR 6345, June 20, 1963. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981]

§ 56.76 Minimum facility and operating requirements for shell egg grading and packing plants.

(a) General requirements for buildings and plant facilities. (1) Buildings shall be of sound construction so as to prevent, insofar as practicable, the entrance or harboring of vermin.

(2) Grading and packing rooms shall be of sufficient size to permit installation of necessary equipment and the conduct of grading and packing in a sanitary manner. These rooms shall be kept reasonably clean during grading and packing operations and shall be thoroughly cleaned at the end of each operating day.

(3) Adequate lavatory and toilet accommodations shall be provided. Toilet and locker rooms shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. Hot and cold running water shall be provided. Rooms shall be ventilated to the outside of the building. Signs shall be posted in the rest rooms instructing employees to wash their hands before returning to work.

(4) A separate refuse room or a designated area for the accumulation of trash must be provided in plants which do not have a system for the daily removal or destruction of such trash.

(5) Wood benches, platforms, etc., in areas which are subjected to moisture and which develop odors shall be replaced with equipment of metal construction. Wood walls or partitions which develop odors shall be replaced with materials impervious to moisture. Newly constructed plants should be equipped with metal benches, platforms, etc., in areas which are subjected to moisture.

(b) Grading room requirements. (1) The egg grading or candling area shall be adequately darkened to make possible the accurate quality determination of the candled appearance of eggs. There shall be no other light source or reflections of light that interfere with, or prohibit the accurate quality determination of eggs in the grading or candling area.

(2) The grading and candling equipment shall provide adequate light to facilitate quality determinations. Other light sources and equipment or facilities shall be provided to permit the detection and removal of stained and dirty eggs or other undergrade eggs.

(3) Adequate facilities, equipment, and light sources shall be provided to determine the condition of packing material.

(4) Egg weighing equipment shall be provided. The egg weighing equipment

shall be constructed to permit cleaning; operation in a clean, sanitary manner; and shall be capable of ready adjustment.

(5) Adequate ventilation shall be provided.

(c) Cooler room requirements. (1) Cooler rooms shall be refrigerated and capable of maintaining an ambient temperature no greater than 45 °F (7.2 °C). Accurate thermometers shall be provided for monitoring cooler room temperatures.

(2) Cooler rooms shall be free from objectionable odors and from mold, and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(3) All shell egg coolers shall be equipped with a hygrometer or portable equipment such as a psychrometer shall be available to determine the relative humidity. Humidifying equipment capable of maintaining a relative humidity which will minimize shrinkage shall be provided.

(d) Shell egg protecting operations. Shell egg protecting (oil processing) operations shall be conducted in a manner to avoid contamination of the product and maximize conservation of its quality.

(1) Eggs with excess moisture on the shell shall not be shell protected.

(2) Oil having any off odor, or that is obviously contaminated, shall not be used in shell egg protection.

(3) Processing oil that has been previously used and which has become contaminated shall be filtered and heat treated at 180 °F. for 3 minutes prior to

use.

(4) Shell egg processing equipment shall be washed, rinsed, and treated with a bactericidal agent each time the oil is removed. It is preferable to filter and heat treat processing oil and clean processing equipment daily when in

use.

(5) Adequate coverage and protection against dust and dirt shall be provided when the equipment is not in use.

(e) Shell egg cleaning operations. (1) Shell egg cleaning equipment shall be kept in good repair and shall be cleaned after each day's use or more frequently, if necessary.

(2) The temperature of the wash water shall be maintained at 90 °F. or higher, and shall be at least 20 °F.

warmer than the temperature of the eggs to be washed. These temperatures shall be maintained throughout the cleaning cycle.

(3) An approved cleaning compound shall be used in the wash water. (The use of metered equipment for dispensing the compound into solution is recommended.)

(4) Wash water shall be changed approximately every 4 hours or more often if needed to maintain sanitary conditions, and at the end of each shift. Remedial measures shall be taken to prevent excess foaming during the egg washing operation.

(5) Replacement water shall be added continuously to the wash water of washers. Rinse water, chlorine, or quaternary sanitizing rinse may be used as part of the replacement water, provided, they are compatible with the washing compound. Iodine sanitizing rinse may not be used as part of the replacement water.

(6) Only potable water may be used to wash eggs. Each official plant shall submit certification to the national office stating that their water supply is potable. An analysis of the iron content of the water supply, stated in parts per million, is also required. When the iron content exceeds 2 parts per million, equipment shall be provided to correct the excess iron content. Frequency of testing shall be determined by the Administrator. When the water source is changed, new tests are required.

(7) Waste water from the egg washing operation shall be piped directly to drains.

(8) The washing and drying operation shall be continuous and shall be completed as rapidly as possible. Eggs shall not be allowed to stand or soak in water. Immersion-type washers shall not be used.

(9) Prewetting shell eggs prior to washing may be accomplished by spraying a continuous flow of water over the eggs in a manner which permits the water to drain away or other methods which may be approved by the Administrator. The temperature of the water shall be the same as prescribed in this section.

(10) Washed eggs shall be spray-rinsed with water having a temperature equal to, or warmer than, the temperature of the wash water and contain an approved sanitizer of not less than 50 p/m nor more than 200 p/m of available chlorine or its equivalent. Alternate procedures, in lieu of a sanitizer rinse, may be approved by the National Supervisor.

(11) Test kits shall be provided and used to determine the strength of the sanitizing solution.

(12) During any rest period, eggs shall be removed from the washing and rinsing area of the egg washer and from the scanning area whenever there is a buildup of heat.

(13) Washed eggs shall be reasonably dry before cartoning or casing.

(14) When steam or vapors originate from the washing operation, they shall be continuously and directly removed to the outside of the building.

(f) Requirements for eggs that are to be officially identified. (1) Shell eggs that are to be officially identified as U.S. Grade AA, A, or B shall be placed under refrigeration at an ambient temperature no greater than 45 °F (7.2 °C) promptly after packaging. Shell eggs officially identified as U.S. Grade AA, A, or B, when shipped between official plants, shall be transported at an ambient temperature no greater than 45 °F (7.2 °C).

(2) Every reasonable precaution shall be exercised to prevent "sweating" of eggs.

(3) Eggs that are to be officially identified as U.S. Grade AA, A, or B shall be packaged only in new or good used cases and packing materials. Cases and packing materials must be reasonably clean, free of mold, mustiness, and off odors, and must be of sufficient strength and durability to adequately protect the eggs during normal distribution.

(g) The following substances used in the plant shall be approved and handled in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions: Pesticides, insecticides, rodenticides, cleaning compounds, destaining compounds, foam control compounds, sanitizers, and

inks and oils coming into contact with the product.

[20 FR 674, Feb. 1, 1955, as amended at 22 FR 8168, Oct. 16, 1957; 28 FR 6346, June 20, 1963; 32 FR 8232, June 8, 1967; 35 FR 5664, Apr. 8, 1970; 40 FR 20056, May 8, 1975. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, as amended at 46 FR 39571, Aug. 4, 1981. Redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 46070, Oct. 15, 1982; 47 FR 54421, Dec. 3, 1982; 60 FR 12402, Mar. 7, 1995; 63 FR 13331, Mar. 19, 1998; 64 FR 56947, Oct. 22, 1999]

IDENTIFICATION OF RESTRICTED EGGS OR EGG PRODUCTS NOT INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

57.800 Identification of restricted eggs. 57.801 Nest run or washed ungraded eggs.