Health Regulation for Gaseous and Non-gaseous Beverages Industries

Health Regulations 7 for Gaseous and Non-gaseous Beverages Industries J Article (I): A municipal licence shall be obtained from the concerned municipality prior to practising the activity. Article (2): Every person working in the industry shall have a valid health card issued by the concerned authority and such persons shall be subject to annual medical examination, or whenever necessary, and appropriate action shall be taken in light of the results of examination. Article (3): Workers shall wear clothes suited to the nature of work. Article ( 4): The factory shall be constructed with fixed materials on an area suited to the volume of production and shall be located far from any source of pollution. The floor shall be covered with suitable tiles, epoxy or any other suitable material. A semicircular drain covered with iron grating discharging into sewage system outside the factory shall be provided. Article (5): All equipment and piping used for washing, mixing and packaging shall be made of stainless metal. Article (6): Water used for washing, preparation and filling of bottles shall conform to potable water standards in force in the Sultanate. Article (7): The following shall be provided in the factory: * * * * * Sufficient light and ventilation and all openings shall be covered with wire mesh. Containers with self-shutting covers for collecting solid waste to be disposed of at sites designated by the municipality. First Aid Kit. An effective control programme to combat insects and rodents in all the factory facilities. Workers shall be provided with water closets conforming to Sultanate standards, together with bathrooms provided with liquid soap and tissue paper. 44 • Their doors shall not directly open into processing partitions. A sewage system complying with the provisions of the Regulations for Septic Tanks and Holding Tanks shall be provided. Article (8): The factory shall have an effective programme that enhances public health in terms of cleanliness. Article (9): The requirements of the Directorate-General of Civil Defence, ROP shall be adhered to. Article (10):The approved standards for Foodstuff, gaseous and non­ gaseous beverages and sugar shall be complied with. Article (l I) The factory shall include the following divisions: 1- Bottle and raw materials store. 2- Bottle-washing division. 3- Mixing and beverages preparation division. 4- Packaging division. 5- Products store. 6- Workers' changing-room. Article (12): The bottle and raw materials store shall be as follows: a- Health regulations for foodstuff stores shall be adhered to. b- The store shall be divided into two divisions: I- First division: A place for safekeeping of bottles and empty containers. 2- Second division: A place for safekeeping of raw materials and concentrators used in beverage preparation, that shall be kept in a cold place. Article (13):The bottle washing division shall be as follows: a- Sorting bottles prior to washing to separate unsuitable ones. b- The washing place shall be separated from other processing divisions. c- Washing machines shall be clean, secured and free from pollution. d- Bottles shall be washed and transferred mechanically to the packing place. 45 e- Walls shall be covered with suitable white tiles to a height not less than two metres from the floor and the uncovered parts shall be coated with light oil paint. Article (14):The mixing and beverage preparation division shall be as follows: a- Walls shall be covered with suitable white tiles up to the ceiling. The ceiling shall be coated with light oil paint. b- Self-shutting doors. c- Stainless metal cabinets for mixing and preparation of beverages. d- Mixers, tools and pipes shall be clean, sound and leak­ proof. e- All mixers shall be covered with tigbt covers. f- Clean filters shall be provided for filtration of beverages after preparation. g- Shelves and cabinets shall be provided for safekeeping of raw materials used in the preparation of beverages. Article ( 15): The specifications of the packaging division shall be as follows: a- Walls shall be covered with suitable white tiles to a height not less than two metres and the rest of the walls shall be coated with ligbt oil paint. b- Self-shutting doors. c- Stainless metal packaging equipment, tools and machines. d- Mechanically packaging and bottles' checking. e- Necessary precautions shall be taken to prevent bottles breaking during the packaging process. f- Bottle covers shall be placed mechanically in a short period of time and shall be tightly shut. g- To prevent the formation of toxic copper carbonates, beverages after carbon dioxide has been added shall not pass through copper pipes. 46 Article ( 16): The product store shall be adjacent to the loading area and shall comply with the health regulations for foodstuff stores. Article ( 17): A room shall be designated for workers to change their clothes. It shall be provided with cupboards, shall not directly adjoin the factory facilities and its door shall not open directly into the processing divisions. • 47 •