Guidelines for Water Quality in Food Production

Ensuring Drinking Quality Water Supply

Water used in food production must meet drinking quality standards:

• Ensure adequate supply of drinking quality water to prevent food contamination.
• View water as a food component; store, dispense, and use it safely.
• Keep sinks and taps clean, free from chemicals that could taint food.

Separate Systems for Non-Drinking Water

Non-drinking quality water used for specific purposes must be managed separately:

• Use separate and identified systems for purposes like fire control, steam production, and refrigeration.
• Avoid connections with systems for drinking quality water to prevent contamination.

Recycled Water Standards

If recycled water is used, ensure it does not pose contamination risks:

• Ensure recycled water meets the same standard as drinking quality water, unless local authority approval is obtained.
• Must not affect the safety of food in its finished form.

Safe Handling of Ice

Ice used in contact with food must meet drinking quality standards:

• Ensure ice made from drinking quality water when in contact with food or used in drinks.
• Handle and store ice to prevent contamination.
• Service and maintain ice machines to ensure ice quality and hygiene.

Steam Quality and Food Contact

Steam used directly with food must be free from hazardous substances:

• Avoid substances that could contaminate food through steam contact.

Heat Treatment and Water Quality

After heating food in hermetically sealed containers, ensure cooling water does not contaminate food:

• Use cooling water that is not a source of contamination for the food.

Maintenance of Water Dispensers

Water dispensers and fountains must be maintained to ensure safe drinking water:

• Service and clean dispensers according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Report any faults or issues to management promptly.