(a)
Microwave ovens used in food establishments, food vending areas and mobile food units shall be operated, maintained and repaired in accordance with all applicable provisions of rule 301.78.01.006 of the state department of health services, entitled “Texas Regulations for the Control of Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation.”
(b)
The power density of the microwave radiation emitted by a microwave oven used in any food establishment, food vending area or any mobile food unit shall not exceed five milliwatts per square centimeter to any point five centimeters or more from the external surface of the oven.
(c)
Microwave ovens shall have a minimum of two operative interlocks, one of which does not permit human access to it. Failure of any single mechanical or electrical component of the microwave oven shall not cause all safety interlocks to be inoperative. Service adjustments or service procedures on the microwave oven shall not cause all safety interlocks to be inoperative or the microwave radiation emission to exceed the power density limit of subsection (b) of this section as a result of such service adjustments or procedures. Insertion of an object into the oven cavity through any opening when the door is closed shall not cause microwave radiation emission from the oven to exceed the power density specified in subsection (b) of this section.
(1)
One (the primary) required safety interlock shall prevent microwave radiation emission in excess of the requirements of paragraph 90.9(a)(1) of rule 301.78.01.006 of the state department of health.
(2)
The other (secondary) required safety interlock shall prevent microwave emission in excess of five milliwatts per square centimeter at any point five centimeters or more from the external surface of the oven.
(3)
The two required safety interlocks shall be designated as primary or secondary in the service instructions for the oven.
(d)
All microwave ovens installed in food establishments after November 18, 1977, shall meet the National Sanitation Foundation Standards for such equipment, to be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, or be approved by the state department of health.
(e)
The food contact and radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation sealing surfaces of the cavities of microwave ovens shall be cleaned at least once a day and shall be kept free of encrusted grease deposits and other accumulated soil.
(f)
Where microwave equipment and utensils are used for the preparation of potentially hazardous foods on a continuous or production-line basis, utensils and the food-contact surfaces, as well as the radiation sealing surfaces of equipment, shall be cleaned and sanitized at intervals throughout the day on a schedule approved by the health officer. This schedule shall be based on food temperature, type of food, and amount of food particle accumulation.
(g)
Microwave ovens shall be repaired only by persons who certify that the repaired microwave oven meets the provision of paragraph 90.98(a)(1) of rule 301.78.01.006 of the state department of health. A certification as to compliance with paragraph 90.9(a)(1) of rule 301.78.01.006 of the state department of health shall appear on all bills or invoices for such repairs, and in addition, a completed repair certification label shall appear upon all repaired microwave ovens. This label shall include the name of the person certifying compliance with the above regulation, signature of authorized agent, and date.
(1996 Code, sec. 46-76)