§ 21-31-12. Contamination of food with microorganisms — Suspension of permit — Inspection.
(a) Whenever the director of health finds after investigation that the distribution in
Rhode Island of any class of food may, by reason of contamination with microorganisms
during manufacture, processing, or packing of it in any locality, be injurious to
health, and that the injurious nature cannot be adequately determined after the articles
have entered commerce, it then, and only in that case, shall promulgate regulations
providing for the issuance, to manufacturers, processors, or packers of that class
of food in the locality, of permits to which sha
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§ 21-31-12. Contamination of food with microorganisms — Suspension of permit — Inspection.
(a) Whenever the director of health finds after investigation that the distribution in
Rhode Island of any class of food may, by reason of contamination with microorganisms
during manufacture, processing, or packing of it in any locality, be injurious to
health, and that the injurious nature cannot be adequately determined after the articles
have entered commerce, it then, and only in that case, shall promulgate regulations
providing for the issuance, to manufacturers, processors, or packers of that class
of food in the locality, of permits to which shall be attached any conditions governing
the manufacture, processing, or packing of that class of food, and for any temporary
period of time that may be necessary to protect the public health; and after the effective
date of the regulations and during the temporary period, no person shall introduce
or deliver for introduction into commerce that food manufactured, processed, or packed
by any manufacturer, processor, or packer unless the manufacturer, processor, or packer
holds a permit issued by the director of health as provided by regulation.
(b) The director of health is authorized to suspend immediately upon notice any permit
issued under authority of this section if it is found that any of the conditions of
the permit have been violated. The holder of a permit suspended shall be privileged
at any time to apply for the reinstatement of the permit, and the director of health
shall, immediately after a prompt hearing and inspection of the establishment, reinstate
the permit if it is found that adequate measures have been taken to comply with and
maintain the conditions of the permit, as originally issued, or as amended.
(c) Any officer or employee duly designated by the director of health shall have access
to any factory or establishment, the operator of which holds a permit from the director
of health, for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not the conditions of the permit
are being complied with, and denial of access for the inspection shall be ground for
suspension of the permit until access is freely given by the operator.