SECTION 241.8. Crabmeat Identification

(a) All containers of fresh or fresh frozen crabmeat shall have permanently recorded on the principal display panel, so as to be easily visible, the following information:

(1) the dealer or distributor's name;

(2) the dealer's or distributor's address, including at least the city and state;

(3) the license number for the licensed location where the crabmeat was packed or pasteurized; and

(4) where the name and address of a distributor is used, it shall be preceded by the words "PACKED FOR" or "DISTRIBUTED BY", or followed by the word "DISTRIBUTOR."

(b) The principal display panel on each container of fresh or fresh frozen crabmeat shall contain a date. The date shall be the date of packing unless a "SELL BY" date is established and used in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.

(c) The date shall be as follows:

(1) if it is an open date, it shall be the calendar date as follows: the abbreviation for the month, the numerical day of the month, and the year;

(2) if it is a code date, the proposed method must be submitted in writing to the SSD and approved by the SSD before it is used; and

(3) if it is a "SELL BY" date, it shall be based on the date the crabmeat was packed and the proposed method must be submitted in writing to the SSD and approved by the SSD before it is used.

(d) The presence of any chemical, if any is allowed, and the net weight of the contents shall be permanently recorded on the container. The proper designation of the contents of the container (lump, special, claw, finger, etc.) is required and shall be recorded either on the container sidewall or the lid.

(e) Frozen crabmeat shall be labeled as "FROZEN", "INDIVIDUALLY QUICK FROZEN", or "IQF", in print of similar prominence adjacent to the words "CRABMEAT." Containers shall be marked as frozen prior to freezing.

(f) All required information shall be provided in a legible and indelible form and shall be either:

(1) on the sidewall of the container unless the cover becomes an integral part of the container during a sealing process; or

(2) sealed into an area where it remains legible and visible as the principal display panel until all product from the container has been used or disposed of.

(g) Adhesive labels shall be durable and waterproof and shall not be used without prior approval from the SSD. The request for use of adhesive labels must be submitted in writing to the SSD.

(h) Use of rubber stamps is not allowed except for dating.

(i) All labeling is subject to review and approval by the SSD.

(j) Reusable containers for in-plant use during picking and packing are exempt from labeling requirements. These containers may be used only for temporary holding of crabmeat during picking and packing activities. Crabmeat may not be stored in unlabeled containers.

(k) The label on pasteurized crabmeat shall meet all of the requirements established for fresh or fresh frozen crabmeat in this section.

(l) The label on pasteurized crabmeat shall clearly identify the contents of the container as pasteurized crabmeat. Where the term "CRABMEAT" (or its equivalent) appears on the label of pasteurized crabmeat, the word "PASTEURIZED" shall be used in conjunction with it and in print of similar prominence.

(m) Each container of pasteurized crabmeat shall be permanently and legibly identified with a code indicating the batch and the day of processing.

(n) The words "PERISHABLE--KEEP UNDER REFRIGERATION" or their equivalent shall be prominently displayed on the label of pasteurized crabmeat.

(o) When packing and pasteurization of crabmeat by one dealer for another is practiced, the label shall clearly state the license number of the packer/pasteurizer.

(p) When crabmeat is packed in one licensed crabmeat picking plant and pasteurized in another licensed crabmeat pasteurization plant, the label shall clearly state the name and license number of both dealers.

Source Note: The provisions of this §241.8 adopted to be effective March 20, 2003, 28 TexReg 2345