N.J. Stat. tit. 24, ch. 15

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-1 Definitions

As used in this chapter, "food establishment" includes any place used in the production, preparation, manufacture, packing, storage, transportation or handling of food intended for sale or distribution. A "drug establishment" includes any place used in the production, preparation, manufacture, packing, storage, transportation and handling of drugs intended for sale or distribution. A "cosmetic establishment" includes any place used in the production, preparation, manufacture, packing, storage, transportation and handling of cosmetics intended for sale or distribution but not including pharmacies licensed by the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 17, eff. June 14, 1966.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-2 Cleanliness, lighting, plumbing and ventilation

Every room in the building of a food, drug or cosmetic establishment shall be properly lighted, drained, plumbed and ventilated and the operations carried on therein shall be conducted in such a manner that the purity, quality and wholesomeness of the food, drug or cosmetic therein produced, manufactured, prepared, packed, stored, sold or distributed shall not be impaired. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 18.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-3 Construction of walls and floors

The side walls of every room in a food, drug or cosmetic establishment wherein food or drugs are produced, manufactured, packaged, stored or handled, shall be made of or coated with a suitable washable surface. Every room of a food, drug or cosmetic establishment in which food, drugs or cosmetics are exposed shall have a tight floor made of cement or of tile laid in cement, brick, hard wood or other suitable material which can be properly cleaned. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 19.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-4 Cleanliness of walls, floors, furniture and machinery; use of hydrocyanic acids or salts; running water; multi-use utensils

(a) The floors, side walls, ceilings, furniture, receptacles, implements and machinery of every food, drug or cosmetic establishment and all vehicles used in the transportation of food products, drugs or cosmetics shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. No person shall transport food, drugs or cosmetics in such manner that the purity, quality or wholesomeness thereof shall be impaired. (b) No polishes or substances containing hydrocyanic acid or salts thereof shall be used for the cleaning or polishing of articles or utensils used for the service or preparation of food or foodstuffs in any food establishment or articles used in the processing, packing or storage of drugs or cosmetics in a drug or cosmetic establishment. (c) An adequate supply of running water under pressure shall be easily accessible to all rooms in which food, drugs or cosmetics are prepared, manufactured, packed, stored or handled and shall be provided in all rooms in which utensils and equipment are washed. (d) All multi-use utensils, equipment, tools and receptacles in a food, drug or cosmetic establishment, used in connection with the processing, manufacture, packing, storage or handling of food, drugs or cosmetics intended for distribution or sale, shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized immediately after each usage. Amended by L.1942, c. 43, p. 250, s. 1; L.1966, c. 74, s. 20.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-5 Protection of food, drugs or cosmetics from contamination; removal of refuse

All food, drugs or cosmetics intended for distribution or sale in the process of production, manufacture, preparation, packing, storing or transportation shall be securely protected from flies, vermin, dust, dirt and so far as possible, by the use of all reasonable means, from all other foreign or injurious contamination. The refuse, dirt and waste products subject to decomposition or fermentation shall be removed daily. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 21.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-6 Clothing of employees to be kept clean

The clothing worn by all persons while engaged in work in any food, drug or cosmetic establishment shall be in a clean condition at all times. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 22.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-7 Toilet facilities for and personal cleanliness of employees

All employees of a food, drug or cosmetic establishment who handle the material from which food, drugs or cosmetics intended for distribution or sale are prepared, or the finished product shall, before beginning work and after visiting the toilet, wash their hands and arms thoroughly with clean water and soap. Every person owning or operating a food, drug or cosmetic establishment shall provide adequate facilities for such washing and shall take all reasonable means to compel such employees to perform such washing. Adequate, conveniently located toilet facilities shall be provided for employees on the premises of a food, drug or cosmetic establishment. All toilet rooms shall be separate from the rooms where any processes incident to the production, manufacture, preparation, packing, storage, sale or distribution of food, drugs or cosmetics are carried on and shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 23.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-8 Expectoration prohibited

No person shall expectorate in any room in a food, drug or cosmetic establishment used for the production, manufacturer, preparation, packing, storage, sale or distribution of food, drugs or cosmetics. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 24.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-9 Sleeping in rooms of food establishment

No person shall be allowed to live or sleep in any room where food, drugs or cosmetics intended for sale or distribution are produced, manufactured, packed, stored, distributed or sold. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 25.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-10 Persons affected with communicable disease

No employer shall require, permit or allow any person to work, nor shall any person work in any food, drug or cosmetic establishment who is ill or infected with a communicable disease as defined in section 26:4-1 of the Revised Statutes. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 26.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-11 Order to abate violation in lieu of prosecution

Whenever a person shall violate any provision of this chapter the state department or local board may, in its discretion, instead of prosecuting such person for the recovery of any prescribed penalty, cause an order to be served on such person commanding him to discontinue or abate the violation or to make such improvements as may be necessary to abate the violation within a reasonable time to be fixed in the order by the state department or local board. The order shall be in writing and the person receiving it shall have the right to be heard either in person or by attorney by the department or board issuing the order.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-12 Furnishing and posting abstract of law

Every person conducting a food, drug or cosmetic establishment shall upon request be furnished by the State department with an abstract of this chapter. The person receiving such abstract shall keep it posted in plain view in such place so that it can be easily read by the employees entering and leaving the establishment. Amended by L.1966, c. 74, s. 27.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-13 License; necessity; fee; exemptions

Every establishment falling within the scope of this chapter shall be licensed by the Commissioner of Health with a fee to be charged therefor, except that a license pursuant to this chapter need not be secured by any such establishment, the activities of which are subject to licensure pursuant to any other provision of this Title or to inspection and licensure by a local department of health, or the facilities and warehouses of growers and associations or organizations of growers of raw agricultural commodities and all raw agricultural commodity farm area sales and shipping points where such raw agricultural commodities are not subjected to processing other than washing, cleaning, cooling, waxing, grading, sizing and packaging. L.1971, c. 158, s. 1, eff. May 20, 1971. Amended by L.1973, c. 12, s. 1, eff. Jan. 25, 1973.

N.J. Stat. § 24:15-14 Fee for license or inspection.

2. Where no other fee is provided by law or regulation, the commissioner may in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the department as a rule or regulation establish and charge reasonable fees for any service performed in the licensing and inspection of any premises coming within the provisions of this chapter. The fees charged as provided for by this section shall be no more than $1,000 based on criteria set forth in the rule or regulation. L.1971,c.158,s.2; amended 1983, c.275, s.11; 2003, c.117, s.16.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026