Handler Treatment Plan

OMB No. 0581-New

Handler Treatment Plan

Handler Name
Address

Crop Year:

Handlers will submit an annual plan to the Almond Board of California (Board or ABC) that outlines how almonds will be subjected to a minimum 4-log reduction of Salmonella bacteria contamination prior to entering commercial channels.¹ New plans need only be submitted if there are changes in procedures, treatment facilities, etc. Any changes to the Plan are to be submitted and approved prior to implementation.

New Plan

Updated Plan

No Change to approved plan

I certify that the information provided below is accurate. I understand that the Federal-State Inspection Service will verify documentation and procedures against this verification plan.

Signature:

Date:

Section 1: Background Information
Please confirm the destination of your almond shipments (check all that apply): Within the U.S., or to Canada or Mexico (treated and/or unpasteurized) Exported to locations outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico
Almonds shipped within the U.S., or to Canada or Mexico, excluding those directly shipped to an ABC-approved DV user, will be subjected to a minimum 4-log treatment at this location, in another location owned/managed by the handler or by a custom processor (check all that apply)		This Location  Another Location  Custom Processor 
Treatment Plant Location(s)
Off-Site Treatment Facility (s) and Address(s), if applicable
Have all treatment processes been accepted by TERP, or determined by FDA to achieve a minimum 4-log reduction? If not, please provide explanation.		Yes  No 
Have all treatment technology and equipment been validated by a Board-approved Process Authority? (Treatment technology and equipment that have been modified to the point where operating parameters such as time, temperature, or volume, change must be revalidated.) Name Company Date of Validation		Yes  No 
Are you exporting almonds that have not been treated? (If yes, you must maintain a copy of the ocean bill of lading for such shipments.)		Yes  No 
Are you using the DV program?2		Yes  No 
Section 2: Treatment Procedures
Attach flow chart or briefly describe how product will flow through the treatment process including post treatment packing, identification, and storage.
List all pasteurization treatments that will be used on almonds.3 Indicate the number of processing lines for each process (1, …4 etc…), if your process is not listed write it in.
Thermal Blanch Oil Roast Other (list) _____________	location		Location	Location
Non-Thermal PPO Other (list) _____________	location		Location	Location
Provide Name and Company Details for Process Authority
Describe how pasteurized and unpastuerized almonds will be identified to minimize potential cross-contamination or entry into commercial channels prior to treatment. All unpasteurized almonds shipped to approved DV Users within the U.S, or to Canada or Mexico, or unpasteurized almonds shipped to other export markets must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized” on the cartons, bins and totes. The lettering must be on one outside principal display panel, at least 1/2 inch in height, clear and legible.

Section 3: Inter-Handler Transfers

Confirm how inter-handler transfer or industry purchase will be addressed.⁴ Describe in detail the processes, procedures and internal controls you will implement to ensure that all almonds received as inter-handler transfer or industry purchase will receive the appropriate treatment before shipment from your facility. All inter-handler transfers must be accompanied by an ABC Form No. 7, Inter-handler Transfer of Almonds.

Process to ensure treatment of untreated almonds received via inter-handler transfers:

Process to ensure treatment of untreated almonds received via industry purchase:

Process to ensure treated almonds received via inter-handler transfers are not recontaminated:

Process to ensure treated almonds received via industry purchase are not recontaminated:

Process Documentation

Treatment Process (e.g. oil roast)
Process/line number
Assigned ABC Code No.
Equipment make and model
Has this equipment been validated by a Board-approved process authority?	Yes  No 
Product input. Explain how untreated almonds will be introduced into the system.
Treatment parameters. Detail minimum operating parameters for treatment process to achieve required treatment.
Treatment Documentation. Detail the documentation that will substantiate that appropriate treatment has occurred. (Explain recordkeeping, production worksheets, temperature chart recorders, computer logs, etc…) Documentation must include but is not limited to: Lot identification/tracking Treatment date and time Processing records Other
Product output. How will product be handled after treatment to ensure that the integrity of the almonds will be maintained (avoiding recontamination).

The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The authority for requesting this information to be supplied on this form is the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 601-674). Furnishing the requested information is necessary for the administration of the marketing order program.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581- NEW. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 27.3 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

1 Exemptions are untreated almonds shipped under the DV program in the U.S., or to Canada, or Mexico, or untreated almonds exported directly or through a third party to other markets. Exempt shipments must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized.” The lettering must be at least ½ inch in height.

2 DV Users must apply to ABC and have completed ABC Form No. 51. Handlers using the DV program must contact ABC to determine if their customer is an approved DV User. Only direct shipments of almonds to approved DV Users can be shipped untreated. All shipments of unpasteurized almonds to approved DV Users must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized” on the cartons, bins, and boxes. The lettering must be on one outside principal display panel, at least 1/2 inch in height, clear and legible.

3 Complete and attach a Process Documentation Sheet for each treatment process indicated above. If identical (i.e. 4 identical blancher lines), multiple processing lines are allowed on one form. This form must include detailed descriptions of the activities you will perform to ensure that all almonds are treated in accordance with the rule. Process Documentation Sheet should also be completed by any off-site treatment facility, and submitted with this annual plan.

4 All transfers of almonds between handlers must be documented. In all instances involving interhandler transfers, it is the responsibility of the receiving handler to ensure that the almonds are treated prior to shipment and to maintain documentation to that effect.

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