N.J. Admin. Code § 8:21-5.8

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 8:21-5.8 - Sanitation and maintenance requirements

(a) All tanks, pipelines, and equipment used to store and transport water shall be inspected, maintained, cleaned, and sanitized. Sanitizing shall be accomplished by one of the following methods followed by a product water flush.

1. Chemical sanitizer shall be equivalent to a chlorine water solution of 50 parts per million for a minimum of two minutes at a temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

i. If surfaces cannot be reached by the aforementioned soaking treatment, surfaces shall be sprayed with 100 parts per million chlorine water solution at 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

ii. Other chemical sanitizers of equivalent concentration may be used provided they meet the equivalent concentrations as outlined in this subsection.

iii. Steam sanitization in an enclosed system of at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes or 200 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes.

iv. Hot water in an enclosed system of at least 170 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 minutes or at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least five minutes.

v. 0.1 parts per million ozone water solution for not less than a five minute contact time period.

(b) The following additional requirements shall apply to the cleaning, sanitizing, and monitoring of equipment.

1. Storage tanks shall be inspected on a monthly basis and shall be kept free of scale, evidence of oxidation, and residue.

i. Tank seams in contact with product water shall be smoothly bonded and maintained to minimize accumulation of possible contaminants.

ii. Tanks shall be cleaned and sanitized before use except that tanks that are used in a continuous production operation shall be cleaned and sanitized on a predetermined schedule with a minimum treatment of at least once a month.

2. Product water pipelines shall be kept free of scale, evidence of oxidation, and residue.

i. Product water pipelines shall be cleaned and sanitized before and after use and sanitizing shall be accomplished according to procedures outlined in this section.

3. Processing equipment, to include water treatment systems, shall be cleaned and sanitized in a manner and at a frequency so as to be effective in accomplishing its intended purpose(s). Cleaned and sanitized equipment and utensils when not in use shall be stored in a location and in a manner that protects product contact surfaces from splash, dust, dirt, and any other type of possible contamination.

i. Water treatment equipment to include ozone mixing tanks and equipment, soft water tanks, and all associated equipment shall be inspected on a monthly basis, disassembled, if necessary; cleaned; and sanitized.

ii. Bottle washing equipment shall be kept free of paper residue and substances which may interfere with the proper operation of the water or air jets. Internal sprays shall be checked on a daily basis to assure proper timing and adequate dispersion of the washing medium to properly clean the containers.

iii. Fillers shall be kept free from scale, evidence of oxidation and residue, and shall be sanitized before and immediately after use.

(1) The filler reservoir shall be kept adequately covered at all times.

(2) Filling and capping operations shall be conducted as to prevent contamination of the water being bottled.

iv. Cappers shall be kept free of residue and washed, rinsed, and sanitized before and after use.

(1) Capper hoppers shall be kept adequately covered to protect the closures from dust, dirt, and other contaminants and shall be emptied when not in use.

(2) Hopper surfaces in contact with product container closures shall be kept free of residue and sanitized before and after use.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:21-5.8