Manual of Naval Preventive Medicine
Chapter 1: Food Service Sanitation
VIII: Structural Requirements and Sanitary Controls

Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

1. Containers

a. Garbage and refuse must be kept in durable,. easily cleanable, insect and rodent-resistant, leak-proof, nonabsorbent containers that are maintained in good repair. Refuse containers manufactured from thermoplastic should be NSF listed or equivalent. Plastic bags and wet strength paper bags may be used to line containers. Note: With few exceptions, the disposal of plastic material is prohibited at sea; therefore, it is necessary to return all plastic material to shore facilities for proper disposal. See type command messages, notices, and instructions.

b. Refuse compactors and compactor system should be NSF listed or equivalent. Containers and compactors must be easily cleanable and provided with tight-fitting lids, doors or covers. They must be kept closed when not in actual use. Drain plugs, where applicable, must be in place at all times, except during cleaning.

c. Sufficient numbers of garbage and refuse containers must be provided to prevent overfilling. The containers must be emptied as necessary during operations and at the close of each working day. After being emptied, each container must be thoroughly cleaned inside and outside, in a manner which will not cause contamination of food, equipment, utensils or food preparation areas or, if cleaned outside, create a nuisance. Suitable facilities, can washer, detergent, and hot water or steam mixing valves must be provided and used for cleaning refuse equipment and containers.

d. Soiled refuse equipment and containers must be cleaned at a frequency to prevent them from becoming insect and rodent attractors and a source of contamination.

2. Storage

a. Garbage and refuse on the premises must be stored in a manner that makes it inaccessible to insects and rodents. Outside storage of plastic containers which are not rodent-resistant, e.g., unprotected plastic bags, paper bags or baled units which contain refuse, is prohibited. Cardboard or other packaging material not containing food wastes may be stored outside without being in a covered container.

b. When inside storage rooms and areas are used they must be constructed to meet the criteria in Article 1-57 and maintained in a manner which prevents or minimizes the accumulation of filth, the occurrence of odors or the existence of vermin.

c. When practicable, outside storage areas or enclosures must not be located within 100 feet of the food service facility. The areas must be large enough to store the garbage and refuse containers that accumulate and must be kept clean and in good repair. The storage surface must be constructed of nonabsorbent material such as concrete or machine-laid asphalt, be smooth and be sloped to drain. The enclosure, if used, must be constructed of durable and cleanable materials.

d. Dumpsters and other containers used to store garbage must be thoroughly cleaned with high pressure water or steam when needed-twice each week is recommended whenever flies are present.

3. Disposal

a. Garbage produced in large volume such as that produced at messes, clubs, cafeterias and commissaries should be removed from the premises at least daily by a transport vehicle, or portable containers which are constructed, maintained and operated according to applicable law.

b. Food waste disposers or grinders may be used for garbage disposal provided they are designed and/or located in a manner which precludes contamination of food-contact surfaces as a result of splash and aerosol generation. When approved by CHBUMED, shipboard waste disposers located in separate sculleries may have the capability for either fresh or salt water flushing. Proper warning plates and operating instructions must be posted (see GENSPEC, Section 593).

c. Refuse must be removed as often as necessary to prevent nuisance or hazardous conditions. It must be disposed of by an approved public or private community refuse facility or by an individual refuse facility which is sized, constructed, maintained and operated according to law.

d. Garbage disposal as feed for hogs is prohibited in many states. This method of disposal must conform to local and state laws.

e. Disposal of garbage from vessels returning to CONUS from foreign ports must comply with requirements of SECNAVINST 6210.2 and NAVSUP PUB 486, Volume 1, Article 4033.