Best Practices for Maintaining Aseptic Filling Lines Between Batches

We manufacture a caffeinated beverage that does not contain sugars. Clean-in-Place and Sanitize-in-Place are straight forward. What do we do with the lines post-run / in-between batches? 

1) Rinse with Sanitizer and an leave wet? 

2) Rinse with Sanitizer and dry / blow out the lines with filtered air? 

3) Rinse with sanitizer and leave lines filled (w/ sanitizer)?

4) Leave low PH product (<3.5) in the line until CIP before the next fill?

No one is clear on what to do between fills.

I vote for #2.

Im not following what your doing.   1-3 seem to be refering to a sanitation / purge between products, but then you mention leaving sanitizer in line which wouldnt make sense if you were going to run another batch.  4 mentions a CIP which I think is why im confused.   Are you sanitizing before CIP?

does post run = end of run / end of day?   That seems like a CIP is needed  to me

"In-between batches" of the same product or different product, same day?   Same product - why sanitize, unless you want some type of "break" in the process.  Different product I'd say 1 and/or product purge or CIP, if that makes sense.  

You probably need controls on cleaning post run, controls on how to purge your cleaning chemicals and then how long the line can stand before you next run.  All of these will need an element of validation.

But also pH 3.5 is going to be pretty safe.  Not that it means you shouldn't do the work especially to make sure that your disinfectants are absent pre running.

CIP and SIP are under control. Always done before a run. Then we purge the lines with water + sanitizer. The question is what do do between runs to make sure no bacteria / mold gets in the line. It is normally 2-4 days between runs. 

It is basically caffeinated water with minerals in it. We don't have flavors or organic components in the product.

I vote for #2.

So blow out the line with filtered air best if we don't manufacture on weekends? Just blow out the line on Friday then CIP / SIP on Monday? It's been so hard to fins advice on this issue. Seems like a common question. I have always left QUAT in to keep the pumps from drying out sanitized at the same time.

Im sorry, I think you confused me again.   You dont CIP immediatley after a run, correct?   Instead, you MAY wait a couple of days and then CIP BEFORE you start.   Leaving the equipment "dirty" for that time period?   ie - end of run, sanitizer or nothing, Idle quipment, Full CIP, start or run.  

Your question is what do do with the equipment during that down time/ idle time of 2 - 4 days?  

If this is correct, I would ask, why you just dont CIP at the end of run.   Then a short sanitizer or clean /  sanitizer cycle prior to start up as anytime equipment has set idle for a lenght of time it should at least be sanitized prior to use.  End or run, CIP, idle equipment, SIP or CIP, start of run.    

I guess for most products, that is what I would recommend.  You just dont want to leave equipment "dirty"  and you cant sanitize "dirt".  However, your making  water.   Thus, I dont see a lot of risk with the other options either.  

1.   I still say 1.   

2.   I wouldnt spend the money on air blows.   Another possible source of issues.  contact time of sainitizer on equpment is increased without.  Im sure glenn has a vaild reason that im not thinking of.  that might change my mind.  

3.  You say that you like leaving it in your pumps.  Im not sure which sanitizer you use, but it could crap out other parts prematurely.  

4.  Again its a low ph water, so leaving it is probably fine.  this would be my last option, as i dont understand your product well enough to know other risks.