Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 50 - Environmental health
Subchapter 10 - Food Protection
Part 4 - Good Manufacturing Practices for Food (216-RICR-50-10-4)
Section 216-RICR-50-10-4.9 - SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS FOR BOTTLED WATER

Universal Citation: 216 RI Code of Rules 50 10 4.9

Current through September 18, 2024

A. The sources of all bulk or bottled drinking water located in Rhode Island must be approved by the Director. Sources of all bottled drinking water located outside of Rhode Island must be approved by the agency having jurisdiction.

B. New sources of all bottled drinking water located in Rhode Island shall comply with those requirements found in the Rhode Island Department of Health rules and regulations for the Public Drinking Water, Subchapter 05 Part 1 of this Chapter.

C. Licensed sources of all bottled drinking water located in Rhode Island, following termination for any reason of their license to manufacture bottled drinking water, shall meet the requirements for new sources of bottled drinking water prior to reactivation of their bottled water license.

4.9.1 EQUIPMENT

A. All tanks, pipelines and equipment used to store, handle and transport water for bottled water purposes shall be inspected, maintained, cleaned and sanitized per the following requirements.
1. Storage Tanks
a. Inspected for cleanliness monthly and shall be kept free of scale, evidence of oxidation and residue;

b. Cleaned monthly by sanitizing and flushing with product water.

2. Product Water Pipelines
a. Must be kept free of scale, evidence of oxidation and residue;

b. Cleaned daily by sanitizing with chlorine water of two hundred (200) ppm for five (5) minutes, followed by product water flushing, or continuous recirculation of at least 0.1 ppm ozonated water.

3. Product Equipment
a. Cappers shall be sanitized daily;

b. Hoppers shall be kept covered, free of residue and contact surfaces shall be sanitized daily;

c. Ozone mixing tanks and equipment; soft water tanks and other associated equipment shall be inspected monthly, disassembled, if necessary cleaned and sanitized as needed;

d. Bottle washing equipment shall be checked daily to assure proper timing and adequate washing of bottles;

e. Fillers shall be kept free from residue and shall be sanitized daily. Filling and capping operations shall be conducted as to prevent contamination of water being bottled. The filler reservoir shall be kept covered at all times.

4.9.2 CONTENTS OF LABEL

A. Each label shall indicate:
1. Type of Source Water
a. Water coming from springs may be labeled "Spring Water" or "Natural Spring Water;"

b. Artesian or pumped water taken from the ground, from drilled wells may be labeled, "Well Water," "Artesian Water," or "Natural Water;"

c. For water containing carbon dioxide that emerges from the source and is bottled directly with its entrapped gas or from which the gas is mechanically separated and later reintroduced at a level not higher than naturally occurring in the water may be labeled "Naturally Carbonated" or "Naturally Sparkling." Bottled water which contains carbon dioxide other than that naturally occurring in the source of the product shall be labeled "Carbonated," "Carbonation Added" or "Sparkling;"

d. Mineral water may be labeled "Mineral Water" or "Natural Mineral Water." Bottled water to which minerals are added shall be labeled to disclose that minerals are added and may not be labeled "Natural Mineral Water;"

e. For a municipal water supply source, the name of the municipal water supply must be stated.

2. Supplemental printed information and graphics concerning recognized uses of the water may appear on the label but shall not imply properties of the product or preparation methods which are not factual.

3. Location of water source must be stated.

4. Sodium Labeling
a. Certain descriptive terms about the quantitative sodium content of bottled water may be used on the label, provided such statements indicate the number of milligrams of sodium per measured volume of bottled water.

5. Additional Label Statements
a. Whenever any term such as "no fluorides," "no chlorides," "no bromides," etc., is used in labeling, quantitative information shall be provided, which includes milligrams per liter or milligrams per measured serving. All label statements are subject to review and approval by the Director.

4.9.3 SAMPLING REQUIREMENTS, METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A. When determined to be necessary by the director, more frequent sampling or additional monitoring may be required by the Director.

B. All required source water quality analysis must be performed by a laboratory meeting either domestic approval or foreign approval by the appropriate government agency for source water analysis.

4.9.4 BULK WATER

A. Tank trucks, loading and unloading facilities and other equipment used to transport bulk water for bottled water purposes shall be maintained in clean and sanitary conditions at all times.

B. Tanks previously used to transport milk or juice products, toxic materials, petroleum products or other deleterious substances shall not be used to haul drinking water.

C. All sources of water for bulk water shipment must be approved by the Director.

D. All source water storage facilities must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

E. Bulk Transport and Transfer Procedure
1. Sanitation
a. Prior to filling, tank interior shall be cleaned, flushed with potable water, sanitized with no less than one hundred (100) ppm chlorine water solution for a contact period of not less than twenty (20) minutes and rinsed with potable water.

b. All hoses, connections and fittings shall be sanitized with a concentrated solution of chlorine, three (3) ounces of 5.25% household bleach to two (2) gallons of water by brushing solution on all exposed parts.

c. The cover shall not be opened after sanitizing.

2. Fluid Transfer
a. Tank trucks or tank trailers may be filled through the fitting on the inner dome cover when the rear pipe cannot be used.

b. Water quality in the tank, after 20-30 gallons have been delivered into the tank, shall be checked as follows:
(1) Stop filling;

(2) Have discharge valve opened;

(3) Inspect water as it discharges. If water has unpleasant odor and/or looks dirty, it shall be rejected for use and the tank shall be resanitized.

c. When these checks indicate satisfactory water quality proceed to fill the tank.

d. The dome cover shall be closed and sealed after filing to volume desired.

e. The tank discharge valve cover shall be closed and sealed after filling.

f. If used a fill connectional shall be constructed in a manner to prevent contamination and shall be capped at all times when not in use.

F. Sampling
1. Analysis of the samples must be performed for the plant by an approved laboratory.

2. When deemed necessary by the Director, sampling of water from bulk water system (i.e. tank truck, water buffalo, storage tank, transfer line, etc.) shall be conducted and analyzed.

G. Records
1. Shall be maintained and include the number of gallons delivered daily, cleansing and sanitizing methods used for tank truck and tank trailer interiors, risers, connections, hoses, etc.

2. Such records shall include date, time and location of delivery, concentration of sanitizing solution, time of contact when applicable, and water quality analysis results as legal evidence of compliance with public health practices and standards.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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