Subchapter D. FARMS PRODUCING MILK FOR MANUFACTURING
Sec.
59a.201. Farm inspection.
59a.202. Milking facilities and housing.
59a.203. Milking procedures.
59a.204. Cooling and storage.
59a.205. Milkhouse or milkroom.
59a.206. Utensils and equipment.
59a.207. Water supply.
59a.208. Sewage disposal.§ 59a.201. Farm inspection.
Farms producing and selling milk for manufacturing purposes shall comply with the following inspection provisions:
(1) Each dairy farm operated by a producer of milk for manufacturing purposes shall be inspected initially and on any change of market by an approved inspector and shall have a passing score before the first milk is shipped. To attain a passing score, there may not be deficiencies in areas of major significance to the sanitary quality of the farm’s milk supply unless these deficiencies are immediately corrected during the inspection. These areas of major significance include toilet, water supply, construction of utensils and equipment, cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, cow cleanliness and proper storage and labeling of medications. Dairy farms producing milk for manufacturing purposes shall be inspected every 6 months by an approved inspector, and an accurate record of inspections shall be maintained by each permitholder for 24 months.
(2) Producers who cannot produce milk of a wholesome sanitary quality will be suspended. Producers who are not in substantial compliance with this section or § 59a.102 (relating to milk permits) will be reinspected after an appropriate time for correction of deficiencies. Milk for manufacturing is of wholesome sanitary quality if it meets the applicable requirements of Subchapter C (relating to production and processing of milk for manufacturing purposes), including those relating to appearance and odor, drug residue, sediment content, bacterial estimate and somatic cell count, and § 59a.202 (relating to milking facilities and housing).
(3) A permitholder shall promptly notify the Department of initial instatement, suspension or reinstatement of a producer from which milk for manufacturing is or was received. Identification of the producer, including name and address, shall be provided orally or by mail within 24 hours of the action.
§ 59a.202. Milking facilities and housing.
(a) General requirements. A milking barn or milking parlor of adequate size and arrangement shall be provided to permit normal sanitary milking operations. It shall be well lighted and ventilated, and the floors and gutters in the milking area shall be constructed of concrete or other impervious material. The facility shall be kept clean, the manure removed daily and stored to prevent access of lactating animals to accumulation thereof. Swine or fowl may not be permitted in the milking area. When a milking barn is used and horses are present, the horses shall be stalled in a separate area a sufficient distance from the milking area or separated by tight partitions.
(b) Platforms and ramps. If a milking barn or milking parlor has ramps and platforms that are used to elevate lactating animals, these ramps and platforms must be constructed of an impervious material such as steel. Wooden platforms and ramps are prohibited. Rubber mats may be used as long as they are not placed over a wooden platform.
(c) Concentrates and feed storage. Concentrates and feed, if stored in the building, shall be stored in a tightly covered box, bin or container.
(d) Protection of exposed milk. If milk is exposed during straining or transferring in the milking area, it shall be protected from falling particles from areas above the milk facility.
(e) Yard requirements. The yard or loafing area must be of ample size to prevent overcrowding, be drained to prevent forming of standing water pools, insofar as practicable, and kept clean.
Cross References This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 59a.201 (relating to farm inspection).
§ 59a.203. Milking procedures.
(a) Cleanliness of udders and flanks. The udders and flanks of all lactating animals shall be kept clean. The udders and teats shall be washed or wiped immediately before milking with a clean, damp cloth or paper towel moistened with a sanitizing solution and wiped dry or by another sanitary method approved in writing by the Department.
(b) Milker. The milker’s outer clothing must be clean and his hands clean and dry. A person with an infected cut or open sores on the person’s hands or arms may not milk lactating animals, or handle milk or milk containers, utensils or equipment.
(c) Equipment. Milk stools, surcingles or antikickers shall be kept clean and properly stored. Dusty operations may not be conducted immediately before or during milking. Strong flavored feeds may not be fed immediately before or during milking.
(d) Abnormal milk. In addition to the requirements of § 59a.116 (relating to abnormal milk), abnormal milk may not be squirted on the floor, on the platform or in the producer’s hand. Producers shall also wash their hands after handling equipment and handling the teats and udders of animals producing abnormal milk.
§ 59a.204. Cooling and storage.
(a) Milk in cans. Milk in cans shall be cooled immediately after milking to 50° F or lower at the farm, and not exceed 55° F upon delivery to the plant, unless delivered to the plant within 2 hours after milking. The cooler, tank or refrigerated unit shall be kept clean. Maximum time of delivery of milk to a milk plant shall be within 48 hours of initial milking.
(b) Milk in farm bulk tanks. Milk in farm bulk tanks shall be cooled to 40° F within 2 hours after milking. Cooled milk may not be allowed to rise above a temperature of 50° F by subsequent addition of milk to the bulk tank and shall be cooled at 45° F or lower at time of pick-up, and not exceed 50° F upon delivery to the plant. Maximum time of delivery of milk to a milk plant may not exceed 72 hours of initial milking.
§ 59a.205. Milkhouse or milkroom.
(a) General requirements. A milkhouse or milkroom shall be provided for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling and storing the utensils and equipment. The milkhouse or milkroom must be conveniently located and properly constructed, lighted and ventilated. Other products may not be handled in the milkroom which would be likely to contaminate milk, or otherwise create a public health hazard.
(b) Equipment and construction. The milkroom must be equipped with a wash and rinse vat, utensil rack, milk cooling facilities and an adequate supply of hot water available for cleaning milking equipment. If a part of the barn or other building, it must be partitioned, screened and sealed to prevent the entrance of dust, flies or other contamination. The floor of the building must be of concrete or other impervious material and graded to provide proper drainage. The walls and ceilings must be constructed of smooth easily cleaned material. Outside doors must open outward and be self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting screen doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent the entrance of flies.
(c) Farm bulk tanks. If a farm bulk tank is used, the following requirements apply:
(1) The farm bulk tank shall be properly located in the milkhouse or milkroom for access to all areas for cleaning and servicing. It may not be located over a floor drain or under a ventilator.
(2) A small platform or slab constructed of concrete or other impervious material shall be provided outside the milkhouse, properly centered under a suitable port opening in the wall of the milkhouse. The opening shall be fitted with a tight, self-closing door. The truck approach to the milkhouse or milkroom must be properly graded and surfaced to prevent mud or pooling of water at the point of loading.
(d) Trash, animals and fowl. The milkhouse or milkroom and appurtenances shall be kept clean and free of trash, animals and fowl.
(e) Farm chemicals and animal drugs.
(1) Animal biologics and other drugs intended for treatment of animals, and insecticides approved for use in dairy operations, must be clearly labeled and used in accordance with label instructions, and stored in a manner which will prevent accidental contact with milk and milk contact surfaces.
(2) Only drugs that are approved by the FDA or biologics approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in dairy animals that are properly labeled according to FDA or USDA regulations shall be administered to the animals.
(3) When drug storage is located in the milkroom, milkhouse or milking area, the drugs shall be stored in a closed, tight-fitting storage unit. The drugs shall further be segregated so that drugs labeled for use in lactating dairy animals are separated from drugs labeled for use in nonlactating dairy animals.
(4) Drugs labeled for use in nondairy animals may not be stored with drugs labeled for use in dairy animals. When drugs labeled for use in nondairy animals are stored in the barn, the drugs shall be located in an area of the barn separate from the milking area.
(5) Herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides that are not approved for use in dairy operations may not be stored in the milkhouse, milkroom or milking area.
§ 59a.206. Utensils and equipment.
(a) General requirements. Utensils, milk cans, milking machines—including pipeline systems—rubber and rubber-like parts and other equipment used in the handling of milk shall be maintained in good condition, be free from rust, open seams, milkstone or any unsanitary condition, and shall be washed, rinsed and drained after each milking, stored in suitable facilities and sanitized immediately before use with a dairy equipment sanitizer that has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for use with dairy or food processing equipment, and that is used according to the label directions. New or replacement can lids must be umbrella type. New utensils and equipment must comply with applicable 3-A Sanitary Standards.
(b) Farm bulk tanks. Farm bulk tanks must meet 3-A Sanitary Standards for construction at the time of installation and be installed under § 59a.26 (relating to plans for construction and reconstruction).
(c) Single service articles. Single service articles shall be properly stored and may not be reused.
§ 59a.207. Water supply.
A dairy farm water supply shall be properly located, protected and operated, and shall be easily accessible, ample, and of safe, sanitary quality for the cleaning of dairy utensils and equipment. The water supply must come from a source which complies with the water supply provisions of the Grade ‘‘A’’ PMO, including Appendix D, regarding standards for water sources, and is approved by the Department.
§ 59a.208. Sewage disposal.
House, milkhouse or milkroom and toilet wastes shall be disposed of in a manner that does not pollute the soil surface, contaminate the water supply or be conducive to the breeding of insects.
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