§ 46.719. Washing returnable containers for refilling.

 (a)  General requirement. Except as specified in subsections (b) and (c), returned empty containers intended for cleaning and refilling with food shall be cleaned and refilled in a regulated food establishment.

 (b)  Exception. A food-specific container for beverages may be refilled at a food facility if all of the following are accurate:

   (1)  Only a beverage that is not a potentially hazardous food is used as specified in §  46.307(a) (relating to refilling returnables).

   (2)  The design of the container and of the rinsing equipment and the nature of the beverage, when considered together, allow effective cleaning at home or in the food facility.

   (3)  Facilities for rinsing before refilling returned containers with fresh, hot water that is under pressure and not recirculated are provided as part of the dispensing system.

   (4)  The consumer-owned container returned to the food facility for refilling is refilled for sale or service only to the same consumer.

   (5)  The container is refilled by either of the following:

     (i)   An employee of the food facility.

     (ii)   The owner of the container if the beverage system includes a contamination-free transfer process that cannot be bypassed by the container owner.

 (c)  Exception. Consumer-owned containers that are not food-specific may be filled at a water vending machine or system.

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  46.301 (relating to preventing contamination from food contact with equipment and utensils); 7 Pa. Code §  46.307 (relating to refilling returnables); and 7 Pa. Code §  46.692 (relating to single-service and single-use articles).