N.J. Admin. Code § 8:21-5.11

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 23, December 2, 2024

Section 8:21-5.11 - Sanitizing requirements for multi-use bottles or containers

(a) Mechanical bottle washers shall be provided when multi-use containers are used. In addition, mechanical washers shall be designed and maintained to thoroughly wash and sanitize all surfaces of containers prior to filling.

(b) Multi-use bottles shall be checked prior to washing by a method acceptable to the Department to assure that containers that may have been used for other purposes are not reused for bottled water. Such containers shall be rendered unusable for rebottling.

(c) Before filling, all multi-use containers shall be thoroughly washed in an effective cleansing agent and water solution, having a temperature not less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by application of a bactericidal solution, and the inside rinsed with product water to remove traces of sanitizing agents.

(d) The bactericidal procedure as a minimum, shall be one of the following:

1. Sanitize with 100 parts per million chlorine water solution at 75 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than 30 seconds;

2. Sanitize with a 2 1/2 percent caustic solution at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit followed by a rinse containing not less than 10 parts per million free chlorine. (Note: When caustic is discharged by means of high-velocity jets, this procedure shall be considered to satisfy both cleaning and bactericidal requirements);

3. Sanitize with water at an inside bottle temperature not less than 170 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than 15 seconds;

4. Sanitize by exposing all surfaces to a three percent caustic solution at a minimum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit for five minutes by means of automatic bottle washers utilizing high-velocity jets (hydro type) or by means of soaker washers, followed by a rinse containing not less than 10 parts per million free chlorine;

5. As an alternative to the use of a caustic alkali solution, multi-use containers may be cleaned and sanitized prior to refilling by the use of an alkaline detergent cleaner containing a minimum of 0.35 percent active alkalinity at a minimum temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit for not less than one minute (if high velocity jets are used), or for not less than three minutes (if a soaker type washer is used), followed by a rinse of at least one minute with a sanitizing solution containing at least 25 parts per million chlorine or 10 parts per million iodine. All bottles and carboys shall be rinsed until free of any detergent or sanitizing solution residue with product water; or

6. Other methods equally protective of public health as the above, when approved by the Department, may be used.

(e) Only sanitizers listed in 21 CFR 178.1010 shall be acceptable.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:21-5.11