Confidence in the safety of beverages and bottled water is important to consumers.  As concerns with private water supplies increase, sales of bottled water and other beverages also increase.  The Beverage and Bottled Water Inspection and Licensing Program licenses bottled water plants and beverage manufacturers located within NH and inspects facilities to determine compliance with NH regulations and good manufacturing practices.  The Beverage and Bottled Water Inspection and Licensing Program also reviews testing results of bottled water and beverages to determine compliance with NH and federal standards for quality and safety.

Beverages and bottled water produced outside NH but sold within NH must be registered by DHHS.  Beverage concentrates are also required to be licensed or registered depending on where they are manufactured.  All licenses and registrations expire on January first of the year after issuance.

The term "beverage" includes all still and carbonated drinks; fruit juices and all beverages compounded from them; all bottled waters whether for medicinal or table use; and all packaged liquids intended for drinking.  The term "concentrate" includes all concentrated fruit juices, fruit-flavored and other syrups, and compounds and mixtures in concentrated form, put up in packages for retail sale and intended as a basis for the preparation of a beverage.