Title 69 — Title 69 FOOD, DRUGS, COSMETICS, AND POISONS

The processing of food intended for public consumption is important and vital to the health and welfare both immediate and future and is hereby declared to be a business affected with the public interest. The provisions of this chapter [1991 c 137] are enacted to safeguard the co…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Board" means the state liquor and cannabis board.(2) "Cannabis" has the definition in RCW 69.50.101.(3) "Cannabis-infused edible" has the same meaning as "cannabis-inf…

(1) The department shall enforce and carry out the provisions of this chapter, and may adopt the necessary rules to carry out its purposes.(2) Such rules may include:(a) Standards for temperature controls in the storage of foods, so as to provide proper refrigeration.(b) Standard…

(1) It is unlawful for any person to operate a food processing plant or process foods in the state without first having obtained an annual license from the department, which shall expire on a date set by rule by the director. License fees shall be prorated where necessary to acco…

If the application for renewal of any license provided for under this chapter is not filed prior to the expiration date as established by rule by the director, an additional fee of ten percent of the cost of the license shall be assessed and added to the original fee and shall be…

The director may, subsequent to a hearing thereon, deny, suspend, or revoke any license provided for in this chapter if he or she determines that an applicant has committed any of the following acts:(1) Refused, neglected, or failed to comply with the provisions of this chapter, …

(1) Whenever the director finds an establishment operating under conditions that constitute an immediate danger to public health or whenever the licensee or any employee of the licensee actively prevents the director or the director's representative, during an on-site inspection,…

The adoption of any rules and regulations under the provisions of this chapter, or the holding of a hearing in regard to a license issued or which may be issued under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the applicable provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administra…

For purpose of determining whether the rules adopted pursuant to RCW 69.07.020, as now or hereafter amended are complied with, the department shall have access for inspection purposes to any part, portion or area of a food processing plant, and any records required to be kept und…

The department may issue sanitary certificates to food processors under this chapter subject to such requirements as it may establish by rule. The fee for issuance shall be seventy-five dollars per certificate. Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the agricultu…

The director or the director's deputies, assistants, and inspectors are authorized to do all acts and things necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including the taking of verified statements. The department personnel are empowered to administer oaths of verificat…

(1) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to establishments issued a permit or licensed under the provisions of:(a) Chapter 69.25 RCW, the Washington wholesome eggs and egg products act;(b) Chapter 69.28 RCW, the Washington state honey act;(c) Chapter 16.49 RCW, the meat…

(1) A special permit issued by the department under this section is required for the slaughter, preparation, and sale of one thousand or fewer poultry in a calendar year by a poultry producer for the sale of whole raw poultry directly to the ultimate consumer at the producer's fa…

The department may use all the civil remedies provided for in the food safety and security act under chapter 15.130 RCW in carrying out and enforcing the provisions of this chapter.[ 2018 c 236 s 713; 1967 ex.s. c 121 s 11.]

All moneys received by the department under the provisions of this chapter, RCW 15.130.410, and chapter 69.22 RCW shall be paid into the food processing inspection account hereby created within the agricultural local fund established in RCW 43.23.230 and shall be used solely to c…

It shall be unlawful to resell, to offer for resale, or to distribute for resale in intrastate commerce any food processed in a food processing plant, which has not obtained a license, as provided for in this chapter, once notification by the director has been given to the person…

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the department to report for prosecution violations of this chapter when it believes that the public interest will best be served by a suitable notice of warning in writing.[ 1967 ex.s. c 121 s 14.]

(1)(a) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, any person violating any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation adopted hereunder is guilty of a misdemeanor.(b) A second or subsequent violation is a gross misdemeanor. Any offense committed more than five years a…

The authority granted to the director and to the department under the provisions of the food safety and security act under chapter 15.130 RCW shall not be deemed to be reduced or otherwise impaired as a result of any provision or provisions of the Washington Food Processing Act (…

As used in RCW 69.07.180 and 69.07.190:(1) "Artesian water" means bottled water from a well tapping a confined aquifer in which the water level stands above the water table. "Artesian water" shall meet the requirements of "natural water."(2) "Bottled water" means water that is pl…

All bottled water must conform to applicable federal and state labeling laws and be labeled in compliance with the following standards:(1) Mineral water may be labeled "mineral water." Bottled water to which minerals are added shall be labeled so as to disclose that minerals are …

Bottled soft drinks, soda, or seltzer products commonly recognized as soft drinks and identified on the product identity panel with a common or usual name other than one of those specified in RCW 69.07.170 are exempt from the requirements of RCW 69.07.180. Water that is not in co…

(1) In addition to the requirements administered by the board under chapter 69.50 RCW, the department shall regulate cannabis-infused edible processing the same as other food processing under this chapter, except:(a) The department shall not consider foods containing cannabis to …

The department of agriculture, state liquor and cannabis board, and department of revenue shall take the necessary steps to ensure that RCW 69.07.200 is implemented on its effective date.[ 2017 c 138 s 5.]

(1) Until such time as hemp extract is federally authorized for use as a food ingredient, hemp extract is not an approved food ingredient in Washington state. A hemp processor who wishes to engage in the production of hemp extract for use as a food ingredient in another state tha…

The provisions of this chapter shall be cumulative and nonexclusive and shall not affect any other remedy.[ 1967 ex.s. c 121 s 16.]

This chapter shall be known and designated as the Washington food processing act.[ 1967 ex.s. c 121 s 18.]