Is an icehouse considered a food contact surface that must be addressed in the SSOP?
A2: A food contact surface is any surface that may come in direct contact with exposed product. Examples of food contact surfaces include conveyor belts, table tops, saw blades, augers, and stuffers. If the interior surfaces of an ice house do not directly contact product, the establishment would not be required to address them in the SSOP. Regardless, FSIS verifies SPS regulatory compliance. FSIS expects the establishment will prevent the creation of insanitary conditions within the icehouse that could result in product contamination with filth or that may render the product injurious to health.
