{"data":{"id":"us-va/12vac5-421-790","jurisdiction":"us-va","citation":"12VAC5-421-790","heading":"Thawing","body":"A. Except as specified in subdivision 4 of this  subsection,  time/temperature control for safety food shall be thawed:\n\n1. Under refrigeration that maintains the food temperature at 41°F (5°C) or less;\n\n2. Completely submerged under running water:\n\na. At a water temperature of 70°F (21°C) or below;\n\nb. With sufficient water velocity to agitate and float off loose particles in an overflow; and\n\nc. For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of ready-to-eat food to rise above 41°F (5°C); or\n\nd. For a period of time that does not allow thawed portions of a raw animal food requiring cooking as specified under 12VAC5-421-700 A or B to be above 41°F (5°C) for more than four hours including:\n\n(1) The time the food is exposed to the running water and the time needed for preparation for cooking; or\n\n(2) The time it takes under refrigeration to lower the food temperature to 41°F (5°C);\n\n3. As part of a cooking process if the food that is frozen is:\n\na. Cooked as specified under 12VAC5-421-700 A or B or 12VAC5-421-710; or\n\nb. Thawed in a microwave oven and immediately transferred to conventional cooking equipment, with no interruption in the process; or\n\n4. Using any procedure if a portion of frozen ready-to-eat food is thawed and prepared for immediate service in response to an individual consumer's order.\n\nB. Reduced oxygen packaged fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment:\n\n1. Prior to its thawing under refrigeration as specified  in subdivision A 1 of this section.\n\n2. Prior to, or immediately upon completion of, its thawing using procedures specified in subdivision A 2 of this section.","path":["Title 12. Health","Agency 5. Department of Health","Chapter 421. Food Regulations","Part III. Food","Article 5. Limitation of Growth of Organisms of Public Health Concern"],"source_url":"https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title12/agency5/chapter421/section790/","current_through":"2026 Regular Session (effective July 1, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T04:50:14Z","sha256":"a9c8812b799a0bf22d339041d85a6b882f281151759cc7a1191c9d82c7d9025b","source_id":"us-va-vac","stale":false,"prev":"us-va/12vac5-421-780","next":"us-va/12vac5-421-800"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}