PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to chapter 246-215 WAC, Food service, requiring notification to consumers when unpasteurized juices are offered for sale or service.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Several foodborne illness outbreaks associated with unpasteurized juices have prompted the State Board of Health to consider rules requiring notification to consumers when unpasteurized juice is being served at retail food establishments.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Food and Drug Administration and the Washington State Department of Agriculture require warning labels on packaged unpasteurized juices. The Department of Health will seek input from both of these agencies during the course of rule development.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Health will seek input from interested parties through public meetings and mailings.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dave Gifford, Office of Food Safety and Shellfish Programs, P.O. Box 47824, Olympia, WA 98507-7824, (360) 236-3074, fax (360) 236-2257, Internet address dwg0303@doh.wa.gov.
September 3, 1999
Jim Robertson
Executive Director