For the repeal of this section, see Sections 39-26-140 and 39-26-160.

(A) As used in this chapter:

(1) "Adequate" means satisfactory for a particular purpose, fully sufficient, suitable, or fit.

(2) "Agricultural water" means water used at a farm for agronomic reasons, including water used for irrigation, transpiration control, frost protection, washing produce, harvesting, or as a carrier for fertilizers and pesticides. Occasionally, a more specific term may be used, such as irrigation water. Typical sources of agricultural water include flowing surface waters from rivers, streams, irrigation ditches or open canals; impoundment; wells; and municipal supplies.

(3) "Clean" means washed, rinsed and/or reasonably free of dust, dirt, food residues, and other debris.

(4) "Commissioner" means the South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.

(5) "Covered produce" means food that is produce within the meaning of 21 C.F.R. Part 112 and that is a raw agricultural commodity, as defined in 21 C.F.R. Section 112.3(c), unless excluded under Section 39-26-30(A) or exempted under Section 39-26-30(B).

(6) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

(7) "Documentation" means a written procedure or record of a task being completed.

(8) "Farm" means a farm, as defined in 21 C.F.R. Section 112.3(c), or a farm mixed-type facility, as defined in 21 C.F.R. Section 112.3(c).

(9) "Pathogen" means a microorganism of public health significance capable of causing human disease or injury.

(10) "Personal-service area" means an area used for activities not directly connected with the production or service function performed by the operation or facility. Such activities include, but are not limited to, first aid, medical services, dressing, showering, toilet use, washing, and eating. A personal-service area may include outdoor areas adjacent to a field in production.

(11) "Pest" means any animal or insect of public health significance including, but not limited to, birds, rodents, cockroaches, flies, and larvae that may carry pathogens which can contaminate food or food-contact surfaces.

(12) "Post-harvest activity" means any activity that takes place after the edible portion of the plant has been harvested. This may include washing, cooling, sorting, or packing in the field or at another location.

(13) "Produce" means food that is produce within the meaning of 21 C.F.R. Part 112 and that is a raw agricultural commodity, as defined in 21 C.F.R. Section 112.3(c).

(14) "Sanitize" means to treat food-contact surfaces with a process that is effective in destroying or substantially reducing the number of microorganisms of public health concern as well as other undesirable microorganisms, without adversely affecting the quality of the involved product or its safety for the consumer.

(15) "Water source" or "source water" means the origin of the water being used at the farm or packing operation facility. It may be a municipal supply, private well, pond, stream, or other body of water.

HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 92 (H.4003), Section 1, eff May 19, 2017.