7 Pa. Code § 59a.408. Regular testing of raw milk for human consumption.

§ 59a.408. Regular testing of raw milk for human consumption.

(a)  Responsibility. A raw milk permitholder shall be responsible to arrange for the regular sampling and testing required with respect to the raw milk permit, and to pay for this testing.
(b)  Testing laboratories. Raw milk samples submitted for testing shall be analyzed at an official laboratory or a Pennsylvania-approved dairy laboratory.
(c)  Testing schedule and standards. A raw milk permitholder shall coordinate the testing of raw milk for human consumption on the following schedule, and the raw milk samples must meet the following standards:

Raw Milk Testing Schedule and Standards

Required Action
Interval Type of Action or
Test Required Standard

At all times Maintain raw milk temperature in accordance with raw milk temperature standards. Raw milk shall be cooled to 40° F (4° C) or less within 2 hours after milking, provided that the blend temperature after the first and subsequent milking does not exceed 50° F (10° C).

At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for coliform count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection Bacterial count Bacteria may not be present in excess of 20,000 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test.

At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection Coliform count Coliform may not exceed 10 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test.

At least twice each
month Somatic cell count The somatic cell count may not exceed 750,000/milliliter (1,500,000/ml for goat milk).

At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for coliform count, described in this subsection Test for presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors) There may be no positive results for drug residue, using drug residue detection laboratory techniques referenced in the current Grade ‘‘A’’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration.

Once every 6 months From a sample drawn from the bulk tank, test for presence of the following pathogenic bacteria: Salmonellae, Listeria monocytogenes, Camphylobacter and E. Coli 0157:H7 There may be no pathogenic bacteria present.

Cross References

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  59a.404 (relating to requirements for the issuance of a raw milk permit); 7 Pa. Code §  59a.409 (relating to violations of raw milk testing standards); and 7 Pa. Code §  59a.411 (relating to label content review by the department).

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Required Action Interval	Type of Action or Test Required	Standard
At all times	Maintain raw milk temperature in accordance with raw milk temperature standards.	Raw milk shall be cooled to 40° F (4° C) or less within 2 hours after milking, provided that the blend temperature after the first and subsequent milking does not exceed 50° F (10° C).
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for coliform count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection	Bacterial count	Bacteria may not be present in excess of 20,000 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test.
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection	Coliform count	Coliform may not exceed 10 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test.
At least twice each month	Somatic cell count	The somatic cell count may not exceed 750,000/milliliter (1,500,000/ml for goat milk).
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for coliform count, described in this subsection	Test for presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors)	There may be no positive results for drug residue, using drug residue detection laboratory techniques referenced in the current Grade ‘‘A’’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration.
Once every 6 months	From a sample drawn from the bulk tank, test for presence of the following pathogenic bacteria: Salmonellae, Listeria monocytogenes, Camphylobacter and E. Coli 0157:H7	There may be no pathogenic bacteria present.