Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=7101
Timestamp: 2018-12-16 15:18:42
Document Index: 34213649

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 3', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'art 180', 'arts 70', 'arts 108', 'arts 108']

Vol. 35 Iss. 3 (Proposed Regulation) 2VAC5-490, Regulations Governing Grade "A" Milk October 01, 2018
REGISTRAR'S NOTICE: The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services is claiming an exemption from the Administrative Process Act in accordance with § 2.2-4002 A 13 of the Code of Virginia, which excludes the board when promulgating regulations pursuant to § 3.2-5206 of the Code of Virginia.
Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-490. Regulations Governing Grade "A" Milk (amending 2VAC5-490-50).
Public Comment Deadline: December 30, 2018.
Agency Contact: Ryan Davis, Program Manager, Office of Dairy and Foods, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-8899, FAX (804) 371-7792, TTY (800) 828-1120, or email ryan.davis@vdacs.virginia.gov.
In response to a petition for rulemaking, the proposed amendments reduce the maximum bacteria count to 50,000 bacteria per milliliter of milk and reduce the maximum somatic cell count to 500,000 per milliliter of milk as standards that must be met for milk to be considered grade A in Virginia.
2VAC5-490-50. Quality standards for milk and milk products.
A. No person may produce, provide, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, or store in the Commonwealth, or bring, send, or receive into the Commonwealth, any milk, milk product, condensed milk product, or dry milk product for use in the commercial preparation of grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, or aseptically processed milk or milk products that do not comply with the following:
1. Grade A raw milk for pasteurization or ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging and all grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall be produced, processed, manufactured and pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged to conform with the following chemical, physical, bacteriological, somatic cell, and temperature standards, and with the requirements of this chapter;
2. No process or manipulation other than (i) pasteurization; (ii) ultra-pasteurization; (iii) aseptic processing and packaging; (iv) retort processed after packaging; or (v) processing methods integral with pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging; and refrigeration may be applied to milk or milk products for the purpose of removing or deactivating microorganisms provided that filtration, bactofugation, or filtration and bactofugation may be performed in the plant in which the milk or milk product is pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged. Nothing in this chapter is deemed to prohibit any grade A permit holder who operates a milk plant from preparing bulk shipments of cream, skim milk, reduced fat or lowfat milk labeled as "heat treated"; if the raw milk, raw cream, skim milk, reduced fat or lowfat milk is heated, one time, to a temperature warmer than 125°F but cooler than 161°F for separation purposes. In the case of heat treated cream, the cream may be further heated to less than 166°F in a continuing heating process and immediately cooled to 45°F or less when necessary for enzyme deactivation (such as lipase reduction) for a functional reason;
3. Grade A raw milk and milk products for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall comply with the following standards:
a. The temperature of the raw milk shall be cooled to 40°F or cooler, but not frozen, within two hours after milking and the temperature after the first or any subsequent milking shall not be warmer than 50°F;
b. The bacteria count of the raw milk shall not exceed 100,000 50,000 bacteria per milliliter prior to commingling with any other milk; and the bacteria count of the raw milk that is commingled shall not exceed 300,000 bacteria per milliliter prior to pasteurization;
c. Raw milk shall freeze at or below -0.530° Hortvet;
d. Raw milk shall have no positive results of tests for drug residues by detection methods reported to the State Regulatory Authority by official laboratories, officially designated laboratories, milk plants, receiving stations, or transfer stations;
e. The somatic cell count of raw cow's milk, raw water buffalo's milk, or raw sheep's milk shall not exceed 750,000 500,000 somatic cells per milliliter. The somatic cell count of raw goat's milk shall not exceed 1,500,000 somatic cells per milliliter;
f. Raw milk shall not exceed the actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for any chemical residue or pesticide residue specified in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589. In the event that no actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for a chemical residue or pesticides residue has been established in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589, the tolerance level shall be deemed to be zero; and
g. Raw milk shall not contain aflatoxin residues equal to or greater than 0.50 parts per billion as determined by the Charm II aflatoxin test or other equivalent method;
4. Grade A pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized milk and milk products shall comply with the following standards:
a. The temperature of milk products shall be cooled to 45°F or cooler (but not frozen) and maintained at that temperature;
b. The bacteria count for any milk or milk products (except acidified or cultured milk or milk products, eggnog, cottage cheese, and other milk or milk products as identified in FDA M-a-98) shall not exceed 20,000 bacteria per milliliter;
c. Except for commingled milk shipped in a transport tank the coliform count for any milk or milk products shall not exceed 10 coliform organisms per milliliter. Commingled milk shipped in a transport tank shall not exceed 100 coliform organisms per milliliter;
d. The phenol value of test samples of pasteurized finished product shall be no greater than the maximum specified for the particular product as determined and specified by (i) any phosphatase test method prescribed in the Official Methods of Analysis, 19th Edition, 2012, published by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; (ii) the Fluorometer test method; (iii) the Charm ALP test method; or (iv) other equivalent method as determined by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. A phenol value greater than the maximum specified for the particular product shall mean that the product was not properly pasteurized. A phenol value less than the maximum specified for the particular product shall not be deemed to mean that the product was properly pasteurized, unless there is evidence of proper pasteurization equipment in conformance with this chapter and records to determine an adequate pasteurization process has been completed for each separate batch or lot of milk, milk product, condensed milk, condensed milk product, dry milk, or dry milk product;
e. Milk or milk products shall have no positive results of tests for drug residues by detection methods reported to the State Regulatory Authority by official laboratories, officially designated laboratories, milk plants, receiving stations, or transfer stations;
f. Milk or milk products shall not exceed the actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for any chemical residue or pesticide residue specified in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589. In the event that no actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for a chemical residue or pesticides residue has been established in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589, the tolerance level shall be deemed to be zero; and
g. Milk or milk products shall not contain aflatoxin residues equal to or greater than 0.50 parts per billion as determined by the Charm II aflatoxin test or other equivalent method;
5. Grade A pasteurized concentrated (condensed) milk or milk product shall comply with the following standards:
a. The temperature of milk products shall be cooled to 45°F or cooler (but not frozen) and maintained thereat unless drying is commenced immediately after condensing;
b. Except for commingled milk shipped in a transport tank, the coliform count for any milk or milk product shall not exceed 10 coliform organisms per gram. Commingled milk shipped in a transport tank shall not exceed 100 coliform organisms per gram;
6. Grade A aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products shall comply with the following standards:
a. Aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products shall be commercially sterile;
b. Aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products shall have no positive results of tests for drug residues by detection methods reported to the State Regulatory Authority by official laboratories, officially designated laboratories, milk plants, receiving stations, or transfer stations;
c. Aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products shall not exceed the actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for any chemical residue or pesticide residue specified in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589. In the event that no actionable level, tolerance level, or safe level for a chemical residue or pesticides residue has been established in 40 CFR Part 180 and 21 CFR Parts 70, 71, 73, 74, 80, 82, 130, 131, 133, 170, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 189, 556, 570, 573, and 589, the tolerance level shall be deemed to be zero; and
d. Aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products milk shall not contain aflatoxin residues equal to or greater than 0.05 parts per billion;
7. Grade A nonfat dry milk and dry milk or milk products shall comply with the following standards:
a. The bacteria count shall not exceed 10,000 bacteria per gram, and
b. The coliform count shall not exceed 10 coliform organisms per gram;
8. Grade A whey for condensing or drying shall be maintained at a temperature of 45°F (7°C) or less, or 135°F (57°C) or greater; provided that, acid-type whey with a titratable acidity of 0.40% or above or a pH of 4.6 or below shall be exempt for the requirements of this subdivision;
9. Grade A pasteurized condensed whey and whey products shall be cooled to 50°F (10°C) or less during crystallization and within 72 hours of condensing. The coliform count of grade A pasteurized condensed whey and whey products shall not exceed 10 coliform organisms per gram; and
10. The coliform count of grade A dry whey, grade A dry whey products, grade A dry buttermilk, and grade A dry buttermilk products shall not exceed 10 coliform organisms per gram.
B. Sanitation requirements for grade A raw milk.
1. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall comply with:
a. The following administrative procedures contained in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision": Section 4; Section 7, Items 1r, 2r, 3r, 4r, 5r, 6r, 7r, 8r, 9r, 10r(1), 10r(2), 11r, 12r, 13r, 14r, 15r, 16r, 17r, 18r(2), 18r(3), and 19r; Section 8; Section 10; and Section 13;
b. The following appendices contained in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision": Appendices A, B, C, D, F, G, H, N, Q, and R;
c. Item 1r. Abnormal milk. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Milk last or with separate equipment cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, or other mammals that show evidence of the secretion of abnormal milk in one or more quarters (based upon bacteriological, chemical, or physical examination) and discard the milk obtained from cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, or other mammals that show evidence of the secretion of abnormal milk in one or more quarters based upon bacteriological, chemical, or physical examination; and
(2) Milk last or with separate equipment cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, or other mammals treated with, or that have consumed, chemical, medicinal, or radioactive agents that are capable of being secreted in the milk and that may be deleterious to human health; and dispose of in a manner that will not pollute the environment or any human food the milk obtained from cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, or other mammals treated with, or that have consumed, chemical, medicinal, or radioactive agents that are capable of being secreted in the milk and that may be deleterious to human health;
d. Item 2r. Milking barn, stable, or parlor; construction. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide on the person's dairy farm a milking barn, stable, or parlor in which the milking herd shall be housed during milking time;
(2) Provide on the grade A permit holder's dairy farm a milking barn, stable, or parlor, which milking barn, stable, or parlor shall:
(a) Have floors constructed of concrete or equally impervious material;
(b) Have walls and ceiling that are smooth, painted, or finished in an approved manner, and in good repair and have a ceiling which is dust tight;
(c) Have separate stalls or pens for horses, calves, and bulls;
(d) Have natural or artificial light, well distributed for day or night milking;
(e) Have sufficient air space and air circulation to prevent condensation and excessive odors;
(f) Have dust-tight covered boxes or bins, or separate storage facilities for ground, chopped, or concentrated feed; and
(g) Not be overcrowded; and
(3) Provide and use only an "automatic milking installation" that complies with the requirements of Appendix Q of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision" if the person milks any cows, goats, sheep, water buffalo, or other mammals (except humans) using robots or other automated means in the absence of any human;
e. Item 3r. Milking barn, stable, or parlor; cleanliness. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Keep the interior of the milking barn, stable, or parlor clean;
(2) Keep the floors, walls, ceilings, windows, pipelines, and equipment in the milking barn, stable, or parlor free of filth or litter and clean;
(3) Keep swine and fowl out of the milking barn, stable, and parlor;
(4) Keep surcingles, belly straps, milk stools, and antikickers clean and stored above the floor; and
(5) Store feed in a manner that will not increase the dust content of the air or interfere with the cleaning of the floor;
f. Item 4r. Cow yard, sheep yard, goat yard, water buffalo yard, or other milking mammal yard. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide and maintain the cow yard, sheep yard, goat yard, water buffalo yard or other milking mammal yard, to be graded and drained, and to have no standing pools of water or accumulations of organic wastes;
(2) In the cow loafing, goat loafing, sheep loafing, water buffalo loafing, or other milking mammal loafing, cattle-housing, sheep-housing, goat-housing, water buffalo-housing, or other milking mammal-housing areas remove cow droppings, sheep droppings, goat droppings, water buffalo droppings, and other milking mammal droppings and remove soiled bedding or add clean bedding at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent the soiling of the cow's, sheep's, goat's, water buffalo's, or other milking mammal's udder and flanks;
(3) Assure that waste feed does not accumulate in the goat yard, cow yard, sheep yard, water buffalo yard, other milking mammal yard, cow loafing, sheep loafing, goat loafing, water buffalo loafing, other milking mammal loafing, cattle-housing, sheep-housing, goat-housing, water buffalo-housing, or other milking mammal-housing area;
(4) Maintain any manure packs so as to be properly drained and so as to provide a reasonably firm footing; and
(5) Keep swine and fowl out of the cow yard, sheep yard, goat yard, water buffalo yard, other milking mammal yard, cow loafing, sheep loafing, goat loafing, water buffalo loafing, other milking mammal loafing, cattle-housing, sheep-housing, goat-housing, water buffalo-housing, or other milking mammal-housing area;
g. Item 5r. Milkhouse or room; construction and facilities. Each who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide a milkhouse or milkroom of sufficient size in which the cooling, handling, and storing of milk and the washing, sanitizing, and storing of milk containers and utensils shall be conducted except as provided under subdivision 1 n of this subsection;
(2) Provide a milkhouse with a smooth floor, constructed of concrete or equally impervious material graded to drain, and maintained in good repair;
(3) Dispose of in a sanitary manner all liquid waste generated in the milkhouse;
(4) Provide one or more floor drains in the milkhouse, which floor drains shall be accessible, and if connected to a sanitary sewer system trapped;
(5) Provide in the milkhouse walls and ceilings constructed of a smooth material, in good repair, well painted, or finished in an equally suitable manner;
(6) Provide adequate natural or artificial light and ventilation in the milkhouse;
(7) Use the milkhouse for no other purpose than milkhouse operations;
(8) Provide no direct opening from the milkhouse into any barn, stable, or into any room used for domestic purposes, other than a direct opening between the milkhouse and milking barn, stable, or parlor provided with a tight-fitting, self-closing, solid door, which door has been hinged to be single or double acting. Screened vents in the wall between the milkhouse and a breezeway, which separates the milkhouse from the milking parlor, are permitted, provided animals are not housed within the milking facility;
(9) Provide in the milkhouse water under pressure which has been piped into the milkhouse;
(10) Provide in the milkhouse a two-compartment wash vat and adequate hot water heating facilities;
(11) Except as provided for under subdivision 1 g (12) of this subsection provide a suitable shelter for the receipt of milk when the grade A permit holder uses a transportation tank for the cooling or storage of milk on the grade A permit holder's dairy farm, which shelter adjacent to, but not a part of, the milkroom; and with the requirements of the milkroom shall comply with respect to construction, light, drainage, insect and rodent control, and general maintenance. In addition to providing a suitable shelter as required by this subsection, the grade A permit holder shall:
(a) Install an accurate, accessible temperature-recording device in the milk line used to fill the transportation tank downstream from an effective cooling device capable of cooling the milk to 40°F or less before the milk enters the transportation tank. Electronic records that comply with the applicable provisions as referred to in Sections IV and V of Appendix H of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision," with or without hard copy, may be used in place of temperature-recording records;
(b) Install an indicating thermometer as close as possible to the temperature-recording device in the milk line used to fill the transportation tank to be used for verification of recording temperatures, which indicating thermometer shall:
(i) Have a temperature span of not less than 50°F including normal storage temperatures plus or minus 5°F, with an extension of the scale on either side permitted and graduated in not more than 2°F divisions;
(ii) Have temperature scale divisions spaced not less than 0.0625 inches apart between 35°F and 55°F;
(iii) Have an accuracy within plus or minus 2°F throughout the scale range; and
(iv) Have the stem fitting installed in a pressure-tight seat or other sanitary fitting with no threads exposed;
(c) Provide an effective means to agitate the transport tank or an approved in-line sampling device in order to collect a representative milk sample;
(12) If the State Regulatory Authority determines conditions exist whereby the milk transport tank may be adequately protected and sampled without contamination, a shelter need not be provided if the grade A permit holder:
(a) Provides a means to make all milk hose connections to the transport tank accessible from within the milkhouse;
(b) Provides a means to completely protect the milk hose connection to the transport tank from the outside environment. With approval of the State Regulatory Authority, the direct loading of milk from the milkhouse to the milk tank truck may be conducted through a properly designed hose port that adequately protects the milkhouse opening or by stubbing the milk transfer and associated CIP cleaned lines outside the milkhouse wall in accordance with Item 5r, Administrative Procedure #15, of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
(c) Ensures only milk transport tanks the manholes of which have been sealed after cleaning and sanitizing are utilized;
(d) Ensures only milk transport tanks that have been washed and sanitized at permitted dairy plants or a permitted milk tank truck cleaning facilities acceptable to the State Regulatory Agency are utilized;
(e) Installs an accurate, accessible temperature-recording device in the milk line used to fill the transportation tank downstream from an effective cooling device capable of cooling the milk to 40°F or less before the milk enters the transportation tank. Electronic records that comply with the applicable provisions as referred to in Sections IV and V of Appendix H of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision," with or without hard copy, may be used in place of temperature-recording records;
(f) Installs an indicating thermometer as close as possible to the temperature-recording device in the milk line used to fill the transportation tank to be used for verification of recording temperatures, which indicating thermometer shall:
(g) Provides an effective means to agitate the transport tank or an approved in-line sampling device in order to collect a representative milk sample; and
(h) Provides a self-draining concrete or equally impervious surface on which the transport tank can be parked during filling and storage;
h. Item 6r. Milkhouse or milkroom; cleanliness. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Keep clean the floors, walls, ceilings, windows, tables, shelves, cabinets, wash vats, nonproduct contact surfaces of milk containers, utensils, equipment, and other milkroom equipment in the milkroom;
(2) Place in the milkroom only those articles directly related to milkroom activities; and
(3) Keep the milkroom free of trash, animals, and fowl;
i. Item 7r. Toilets. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide on the person's grade A dairy farm one or more toilets, which shall be conveniently located and properly constructed, and operated, and maintained in a sanitary manner;
(2) Prevent the access of flies to the waste contained in or from the toilet;
(3) Prevent the waste contained in or from the toilet from polluting the soil surface or contaminating any water supply; and
(4) Assure that there is no direct opening from the toilet into any milkroom;
j. Item 8r. Water supply. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide water for milkhouse and milking operations from a water supply properly located, protected, and operated. The water supply shall be easily accessible, adequate, of a safe, sanitary quality, and meet the construction standards of Appendix D of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
(2) Construct the water supply so that no cross connections between a safe water supply and any unsafe or questionable water supply or other source of pollution exists; and
(3) Construct the water supply so that no submerged inlets exist through which a safe water supply may be contaminated;
k. Item 9r. Utensils and equipment-construction. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Provide multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils for use in the handling, storage, or transportation of any milk, which multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils, shall be made of smooth, nonabsorbent, corrosion-resistant, and nontoxic materials; constructed as to be easily cleaned; and maintained in good repair;
(2) Provide milk pails that are constructed to be seamless and of the hooded type if the grade A permit holder does hand milking and stripping;
(3) Abstain from using multiple-use woven material for straining any milk;
(4) Use only single-service articles that have been manufactured, packaged, transported, stored, and handled in a sanitary manner and that comply with the requirements of subdivision C 1 of this section;
(5) Abstain from reusing any article intended for single-service use; and
(6) Provide farm holding or cooling tanks, welded sanitary piping, and transportation tanks that comply with the requirements of subdivisions C 1 l and C 1 m of this section on any grade A dairy farm;
l. Item 10r. Utensils and equipment; cleaning. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Clean after each use, or once every 24 hours in the case of continuous operations, the product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers, multiuse equipment, and multiuse utensils used in the handling, storage, or transportation of any milk;
(2) Offer for sale or sell no milk that has passed through any equipment if the milk-contact surfaces of the equipment are no longer visible or are covered or partially covered by an accumulation of milk solids, milk fat, cleaning compounds, or other soils. Any milk that passes through equipment, the milk-contact surfaces of which are no longer visible, or are covered or partially covered by an accumulation of milk solids, milk fat, cleaning compounds, or other soils shall be deemed adulterated; and
(3) Construct a separate wash manifold for all CIP cleaned milk pipelines in all new or extensively remodeled facilities;
m. Item 11r. Utensils and equipment; sanitization. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall sanitize before each use the product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils used in the handling, storage, or transportation of any milk;
n. Item 12r. Utensils and equipment; storage. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall store containers, utensils, and equipment used in the handling, storage, or transportation of any milk in a sanitizing solution or store the containers, utensils, and equipment used in the handling, storage, or transportation of any milk to assure complete drainage, and protected from contamination prior to use. Nothing in this requirement shall be deemed to prohibit a grade A permit holder from storing in a milking barn or milking parlor a milk pipeline, or the following pipeline milking equipment: milker claw, inflation, weigh jar, meter, milk hose, milk receiver, tubular cooler, plate cooler, or milk pump; if the milk pipeline or pipeline milking equipment specified in this subdivision is designed for mechanical cleaning; and designed, installed, and operated to protect the milk product and solution-contact surfaces from contamination at all times;
o. Item 13r. Milking; flanks, udders, and teats. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Milk all cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and other mammals in a milking barn, stable, or parlor;
(2) Trim the hair from the udder and tail of all milking cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and other mammals to facilitate cleaning of the udder and tail;
(3) Keep the flanks, udders, bellies, and tails of all milking cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and other mammals free of visible dirt;
(4) Keep the hair on the udders of all milking cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and other mammals to a length that the hair on the udder of any cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo, or other mammal cannot be incorporated with the teat in the inflation during milking;
(5) Abstain from milking any cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo, or other mammal whose udder or teats is not clean and dry;
(6) Treat with a sanitizing solution, just prior to milking, the teats of each milking cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo, and other mammal and dry the teats of each milking cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo, and other mammal before milking; and
(7) Milk all cows, sheep, goats, water buffalo, and other mammal with dry hands;
p. Item 14r. Protection from contamination. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Locate and operate the milking and milk house operations, equipment, and facilities to prevent any contamination of the milk, equipment, containers, or utensils;
(2) Transfer immediately from the milking barn, stable, or parlor to the milkhouse each pail or container of milk;
(3) Strain, pour, transfer, or store any milk unless it is protected from contamination;
(4) Handle all containers, utensils and equipment that have been sanitized in such a manner as to prevent contamination of any product-contact surfaces;
(5) Transport from the grade A permit holder's dairy farm to a milk plant or receiving station all milk in cans, using vehicles that are constructed and operated to protect the milk from sun, freezing, and contamination;
(6) Keep clean the inside and outside of each vehicle used to transport from the grade A permit holder's dairy farm to a milk plant or receiving station any milk in cans; and
(7) Transport no substance capable of contaminating the milk when transporting milk;
q. Item 15r. Drug and chemical control. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Store all drugs and medicinals in such a manner that neither the drugs nor the medicinals can contaminate any milk or the milk product-contact surface of any equipment, containers, or utensils;
(2) Abstain from using unapproved or improperly labeled medicinals or drugs to treat any dairy animals or store unapproved or improperly labeled medicinals or drugs in the milkhouse, milking barn, stable or parlor. Except for topical antiseptics, wound dressings (unless intended for direct injection into the teat), vaccines and other biologics, and dosage form vitamins and mineral products, a drug or medicinal is properly labeled only if the drug or medicinal is labeled with the following:
(a) For over-the-counter medicinals or drugs, the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, or for prescription and extra-label use medicinals or drugs, the name of the veterinary practitioner dispensing the product;
(b) Directions for use of the drug or medicinal and the prescribed holding time;
(c) Any cautionary statement for the drug or medicinal, if needed; and
(d) The active ingredient or ingredients in the drug or medicinal;
(3) Except for topical antiseptics, wound dressings (unless intended for direct injection into the teat), vaccines and other biologics, and dosage form vitamins and mineral products, segregate all medicinals and drugs used for lactating dairy animals from any medicinals and drugs used for nonlactating dairy animals to include dairy calves, dairy heifers, and dairy bulls;
(4) Except for topical antiseptics, wound dressings (unless intended for direct injection into the teat), vaccines and other biologics, and dosage form vitamins and mineral products, provide separate shelves in a cabinet, refrigerator, or other storage facility for the storage of all medicinals and drugs for treatment of nonlactating dairy animals, to include dairy calves, dairy heifers, and dairy bulls, separate from those medicinals or drugs used for lactating dairy animals; and
(5) Store topical antiseptics, wound dressings (unless intended for direct injection into the teat), vaccines and other biologics, and dosage-form vitamins and mineral products in a manner that does not contaminate any milk or the milk-product surfaces of any containers or utensils;
r. Item 16r. Personnel; hand-washing facilities. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall provide hand-washing facilities that are convenient to the milkhouse, milking barn, stable, or parlor, and flush toilet and that include separate hot and cold running water; soap or detergent; and individual sanitary towels or other approved hand-drying devices. When individual sanitary towels are used, covered trash containers shall be provided;
s. Item 17r. Personnel; cleanliness. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Wash clean and dry with an individual sanitary towel or other approved hand drying device the person's hands immediately before milking, before performing any milkhouse function, and immediately after the interruption of milking or performing any milkhouse function; and
(2) Wear clean outer garments while milking or handling any milk, milk containers, utensils, or equipment. Bulk milk haulers shall wear clean outer garments while handling any milk, milk containers, utensils, or equipment;
t. Item 18r. Cooling. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Cool to 40°F or cooler (but not freeze) all raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging within two hours after the grade A permit holder completes milking and assure that the temperature of the grade A permit holder's raw milk is not warmer than 50°F after the first milking or any subsequent milking. Raw milk for pasteurization that is warmer than a temperature of 50°F after the first milking or any subsequent milking shall be deemed a public health hazard and shall not be offered for sale or sold;
(2) Assure that circular recording charts are operated continuously and maintained in a properly functioning manner. Circular charts shall not overlap; and
(3) Agitate all raw milk for pasteurization for not less than five minutes at least once every hour; assure that the milk in the farm's bulk milk cooling or holding tank covers the agitator paddle sufficiently to facilitate proper cooling and sampling after the completion of the first milking; and abstain from selling or offering for sale milk that does not cover the agitator paddle sufficiently to facilitate proper cooling and sampling after the completion of the first milking;
u. Item 19r. Insect and rodent control. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processed after packaging shall:
(1) Take effective measures to prevent the contamination of any milk, containers, equipment, and utensils by insects, rodents, and other animals, and by chemicals used to control insects, rodents, and other animals;
(2) Maintain the milkroom free of insects, rodents and other animals;
(3) Keep the areas surrounding the milkhouse; milking barn; milking stable; milking parlor; cattle, sheep, water buffalo, other mammal, or goat housing; cattle, sheep, water buffalo, other mammal, or goat loafing area; water supply; or other facilities on the grade A permit holder's dairy farm neat, clean, and free of conditions that might harbor or be conducive to the breeding of insects and rodents; and
(4) Store all feed in such a manner that the feed will not attract birds, rodents, or insects.
C. Sanitation requirements for grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products.
1. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall comply with:
a. The following administrative procedures contained in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision": Section 7, Items 1p, 2p, 3p, 4p, 5p, 6p, 7p, 8p, 9p, 10p, 11p, 12p, 13p, 14p, 15p, 16p, 17p, 18p, 19p, 20p, 21p, and 22p (provided in the case of milk plants or portions of milk plants that are IMS Listed to produce aseptically processed and packaged milk or milk products, the APPS or RPPS, respectively, as defined in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision," shall be exempt from Items 7p, 10p, 11p, 12p, 13p, 15p, 16p, 17p, 18p, and 19p of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision" and shall comply with the applicable portions of 21 CFR Parts 108, 110, and 113); Section 13; and Section 14;
b. The following appendices contained in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision": Appendices D, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, N, O, R, and S;
c. Item 1p. Floors; construction. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Except as specified in subdivision C 1 c (2) of this section, provide floors for all rooms in which milk or milk products are processed, handled, packaged, or stored, or in which milk containers, equipment, or utensils are washed, constructed of concrete or other equally impervious and easily cleaned material and that are smooth, properly sloped, provided with trapped drains, and kept in good repair;
(2) The floor in any cold-storage room used for storing milk and milk products need not be provided with floor drains if the floors are sloped to drain to one or more exits from the cold-storage room. The floor in any storage room used for storing dry ingredients or packaging materials need not be provided with drains, and the floor in any storage room used for storing dry ingredients or packaging materials may be constructed of tightly joined wood;
d. Item 2p. Walls and ceilings; construction. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall provide walls and ceilings of rooms in which milk or milk products are handled, processed, packaged, or stored, or in which milk containers, utensils, or equipment are washed, that have a smooth, washable, light-colored surface, and that are in good repair;
e. Item 3p. Doors and windows. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall provide:
(1) Effective means to prevent the access of insects and rodents to any part of a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station; and
(2) Solid doors or glazed windows for all openings to the outside of any milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station and keep the doors and windows closed during dusty weather;
f. Item 4p. Lighting and ventilation. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall provide rooms in which any milk or milk products are handled, processed, packaged, or stored, or in which any milk containers, equipment, or utensils are washed, that are well lighted and well ventilated;
g. Item 5p. Separate rooms. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Provide separate rooms for: (i) pasteurizing, processing, cooling, reconstituting, condensing, drying, and packaging of milk, dry milk, and milk products; (ii) cleaning milk cans, containers, bottles, cases, and dry milk or dry milk product containers; (iii) the fabrication of containers and closures for milk and milk products, except for aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products, or retort processed after packaging milk and milk products in which the containers and closures are fabricated within the APPS or RPPS, respectively; (iv) cleaning and sanitizing facilities for bulk milk transport tanks if the grade A permit holder receives any milk or milk product in bulk milk transport tanks; and (v) receiving cans of milk and milk products separate from clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this subdivision, unless all of the grade A permit holder's milk or milk products are received in bulk milk transport tanks;
(2) Not use any room with a direct opening into any stable or room used for domestic purposes to handle, process, or store any milk or milk products or to wash or store any milk containers, utensils, or equipment;
(3) Use rooms of sufficient size so as not to be crowded to handle, process, or store any milk or milk products or to wash or store any milk containers, utensils, or equipment; and
(4) Provide designated areas or rooms for the receiving, handling, and storage of returned packaged milk and milk products if the permit holder receives any returned packaged milk or milk products;
h. Item 6p. Toilet-sewage disposal facilities. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall provide each milk plant with toilet facilities conforming with the regulations of the Commonwealth and the following requirements: no toilet room may open directly into any room in which milk or milk products are processed; the toilet room shall be completely enclosed and shall have tight-fitting, self-closing doors; the dressing room, toilet room, and fixtures shall be kept in a clean condition, in good repair, and shall be well ventilated and well lighted; and sewage and other liquid wastes from the toilet room shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner;
i. Item 7p. Water supply. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Provide water for each milk plant from a supply that is properly located, protected, and operated; and
(2) Provide water from a supply that is easily accessible for inspection by the State Regulatory Authority, adequate, and of a safe, sanitary quality;
j. Item 8p. Hand-washing facilities. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Provide hand-washing facilities, including separate hot and cold running water, mix valve, soap, and individual sanitary towels or other approved hand-drying devices, convenient in any area where milk or milk products are handled, processed, or stored, and any area where containers, utensils, or equipment, are washed or stored; and
(2) Keep the hand-washing facilities clean and in good repair;
k. Item 9p. Milk plant cleanliness. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Keep clean, neat, and free of any evidence of animals, insects, or rodents all rooms in which milk or milk products are handled, processed, or stored or in which containers, utensils, or equipment are washed or stored; and
(2) Permit only equipment directly related to processing operations or to the handling of containers, utensils, and equipment, in pasteurizing, processing, cooling, condensing, drying, packaging, bulk milk, or milk product storage rooms;
l. Item 10p. Sanitary piping. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Use only sanitary piping, fittings, and connections consisting of smooth, impervious corrosion-resistant, nontoxic, easily cleanable materials that are exposed to any milk or milk products, or from which liquids may drip, drain, or be drawn into any milk or milk products;
(2) Keep all piping in good repair;
(3) Except as specified in subdivision 1 l of this subsection, use only sanitary piping to transfer any pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized milk or milk products from one piece of equipment to another piece of equipment; and
(4) Transport cottage cheese, cheese dressings, or cheese ingredients by methods that protect the product from contamination;
m. Item 11p. Construction and repair of containers and equipment. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Use only multiuse containers and equipment, that may come in contact with any milk or milk products constructed of smooth, impervious, corrosion-resistant, and nontoxic materials; constructed for ease of cleaning; and kept in good repair;
(2) Use only single-service containers, closures, gaskets, and other articles that may come in contact with any milk or milk products that are nontoxic and have been manufactured, packaged, transported, and handled in a sanitary manner;
(3) Abstain from using more than once any articles intended for single-service use; and
(4) Use only single-service containers, closures, caps, gaskets, and similar articles manufactured, packed, transported, and handled in a manner that complies with the requirements of Appendix J, "Standards for the Fabrication of Single-Service Containers and Closures for Milk and Milk Products" contained in the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
n. Item 12p. Cleaning and sanitizing of containers and equipment. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Effectively clean and sanitize before each use the product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers and equipment, utensils, and equipment used in the transportation, processing, handling, and storage of any milk or milk products;
(2) Use only multiuse containers for packaging pasteurized milk and milk products that comply with the following: (i) the residual bacteria count on multiuse containers may not exceed one per milliliter of capacity when the rinse test is used, or the residual bacteria count on multiuse containers shall not exceed 50 colonies per eight square inches (one per square centimeter) of product-contact surface when the swab test is used; in three-out-of-four samples taken at random on a given day; and (ii) all multiuse containers shall be free of coliform organisms; and
(3) Use only single-service containers for packaging pasteurized milk and milk products that comply with the following: (i) the residual bacteria count of single-service containers shall not exceed 50 per container when the rinse test is used, except that in containers less than 100 milliliters, the count shall not exceed 10, or the residual bacteria count of single-service containers shall not exceed 50 colonies per eight square inches (one per square centimeter) of product contact surface when the swab test is used; in three-out-of-four samples taken at random on a given day; and (ii) all single-service containers shall be free of coliform organisms;
o. Item 13p. Storage of cleaned containers and equipment. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products, shall after cleaning any multiuse milk or milk product containers, utensils, or equipment, transport or store the multiuse milk or milk product containers, utensils, or equipment in a manner that assures complete drainage and in a manner that protects the multiuse milk or milk product containers, utensils, or equipment from contamination before use;
p. Item 14p. Storage of single-service containers, utensils, and materials. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Purchase all single-service caps, cap stock, parchment paper, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk or milk products in sanitary tubes, wrappings, or cartons;
(2) Store in a clean dry place until used, single-service caps, cap stock, parchment paper, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk or milk products;
(3) Store single-service caps, cap stock, parchment paper, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk or milk products in sanitary tubes, wrappings, or cartons; and
(4) Handle single-service caps, cap stock, parchment paper, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk or milk products in a sanitary manner;
q. Item 15p. Protection from contamination. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Locate the person's equipment and facilities and conduct milk plant operations to prevent any contamination of any milk or milk products, ingredients, equipment, containers, or utensils;
(2) Discard all milk, milk products, or ingredients that have been spilled, overflowed, or leaked;
(3) Perform the processing and handling of products other than grade A milk and milk products in the person's milk plant to preclude the contamination of any grade A milk or milk products;
(4) Store, handle, or use any poisonous or toxic material to preclude the contamination of any milk, milk product, or ingredient and the milk product contact surfaces of all equipment, containers, or utensils; and
(5) Clean, prior to use, all multiuse cases used to encase packaged milk or milk product containers;
r. Item 16p. Pasteurization and ultra-pasteurization. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Perform pasteurization or ultra-pasteurization as defined in 2VAC5-490-10, and Item 16p of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision"; and
(2) Perform aseptic processing and packaging and retort processed after packaging in accordance with the applicable requirements of 21 CFR Parts 108, 110, and 113;
s. Item 17p. Cooling of milk. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Maintain all raw milk and milk products at a temperature of 45°F or cooler, but not frozen, until processed;
(2) Maintain all whey and whey products for condensing, drying, or condensing and drying at a temperature of 45°F (7°C) or cooler; or 135°F (57°C) or greater until processed, except that acid-type whey with a titratable acidity of 0.40% or above, or a pH of 4.6 or below, is exempted from these temperature requirements;
(3) Completely empty and clean the tanks and vessels used to blend and hold all milk or milk product flavoring slurries that contain milk and milk products after each four hours of operation or less if such tanks are not intended to be injected within a HTST pasteurization system as part of a liquid ingredient injection system as outlined in Appendix H of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision" or unless the slurry is stored at a temperature of 45°F (7°C) or cooler, or at a temperature of 150°F (66°C) or greater and maintained thereat;
(4) Immediately cool, except for the following milk or milk products, all pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized milk or milk products prior to filling or packaging in approved cooling equipment to a temperature of 45°F or cooler, but not frozen, unless drying is commenced immediately after condensing:
(a) Those milk or milk products to be cultured;
(b) Cultured sour cream at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.70 or below;
(c) Acidified sour cream at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.60 or below;
(d) All yogurt products at all milkfat levels with an initial pH of 4.80 or below at filling;
(e) Cultured buttermilk at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.60 or below;
(f) All condensed whey and whey products shall be cooled during the crystallization process to 50°F (10°C) or less within 72 hours of condensing, including the filling and emptying time, unless filling occurs above 135°F (57°C), in which case, the 72-hour time period begins when cooling started; and
(g) All cultured cottage cheese at all milkfat levels with a pH of 5.2 or below shall be cooled as per specifications of Item 17p (6a-6e) of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
(5) Store, transport, and deliver at a temperature of 45°F or cooler, but not frozen, all pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized milk or milk products with the following exceptions:
(a) Cultured sour cream at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.70 or below shall be cooled to 45°F (7°C) or cooler within 168 hours of filling;
(b) Acidified sour cream at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.60 or below shall be cooled to 45°F (7°C) or cooler within 168 hours of filling;
(c) All yogurt products at all milkfat levels with an initial pH of 4.80 or below at filling and with a subsequent pH of 4.60 or below within 24 hours after filling shall be cooled to 45°F (7°C) or cooler within 96 hours after filling;
(d) Cultured buttermilk at all milkfat levels with a pH of 4.60 or below shall be cooled to 45°F (7°C) or cooler within 24 hours after filling; and
(e) Cultured cottage cheese at all milkfat levels with a pH of 5.2 or below shall be stored as per specifications of item 17p (5a-5d) of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
(6) Store all pasteurized milk and milk products to be condensed, dried, or condensed and dried at a temperature of 50°F (10°C) or cooler until further processed;
(7) Equip with an accurate indicating thermometer each of the rooms or tanks in which any milk, milk products, whey, or whey products are stored;
(8) Maintain the temperature on delivery vehicles of milk and milk products at 45°F (7°C) or cooler. Aseptically processed and packaged milk and milk products and retort processed after packaged milk and milk products to be packaged in hermetically sealed containers shall be exempt from the cooling requirements of this item; and
(9) Provide ready access at the plant to cleaning records and product storage temperature records stored electronically for review by the State Regulatory Authority. Electronic records of cleaning shall comply with the applicable provisions of Appendix H, Sections IV and V of the "Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, 2013 Revision";
t. Item 18p. Bottling and packaging. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Bottle or package all milk or milk products at the place of pasteurization in the grade A permit holder's milk plant and in approved mechanical equipment;
(2) Package and store in a sanitary manner all dry milk products in new containers, which protect the contents from contamination; and
(3) Transport and store in a sanitary manner all condensed and dry milk products in sealed containers from one milk plant to another milk plant for further processing or packaging;
u. Item 19p. Capping. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Cap or close all milk or milk product containers in a sanitary manner by use of approved mechanical capping or closing and sealing equipment; and
(2) Use only caps or closures for all milk or milk products that protect the pouring lip of a milk or milk product container to at least its largest diameter and, use with respect to fluid product containers, only caps or closures that the removal of the cap or closure cannot be made without detection;
v. Item 20p. Personnel; cleanliness. No person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall:
(1) Permit any person in a milk plant to commence any plant function before the person has thoroughly washed the person's hands to remove soil and contamination or to permit any person in a milk plant to continue any plant function if the person's hands are not clean;
(2) Permit any person in a milk plant to resume work after the person has visited the toilet room before the person has thoroughly washed the person's hands;
(3) Permit any person in a milk plant to engage in the processing, pasteurization, handling, storage, or transportation of any milk, milk products, containers, equipment or utensils, unless the person is wearing clean outer garments;
(4) Permit any person in a milk plant to engage in the processing of any milk or milk products unless the person wears adequate hair covering; or
(5) Permit any person in a milk plant to engage in the processing of any milk or milk products if the person is using tobacco;
w. Item 21p. Vehicles. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall use vehicles to transport pasteurized and ultra-pasteurized milk and milk products that are constructed and operated so that the milk or milk products are maintained at a temperature of 45°F or cooler, but not frozen, and protected from sunlight, from freezing, and from contamination;
x. Item 22p. Surroundings. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaged milk or milk products shall keep neat, clean, and free from conditions that might attract or harbor flies, other insects, rodents, or other pests that otherwise constitute a nuisance, the area surrounding any milk plant;
y. Each grade A permit holder's receiving station shall comply with subdivisions C 1 a through q of this section, inclusive, and subdivisions C 1 s, v, and x of this section, except that the partitioning requirement of subdivision C 1 g of this section shall not be deemed to apply;
z. Each grade A permit holder's transfer station shall comply with subdivisions C 1 c, f, h through n, p, q, s, v, and x of this section, and as climatic and operating conditions require, the provisions of subdivisions C 1 d and e of this section; except that each person shall provide overhead protection for a transfer station; and
a1. Each grade A permit holder's facilities for the cleaning and sanitizing of bulk tanks that transport milk and milk products shall comply with subdivisions C 1 a, f, h through n, p, q, v, and x of this section, and as climatic and operating conditions require, the provisions of subdivisions C 1 d and e of this section except that each grade A permit holder shall provide overhead protection for facilities for the cleaning and sanitizing of bulk tanks which transport milk and milk products in the grade A permit holder's milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station.
D. Minimum facilities requirements for milk processing plant. Each person who holds a grade A permit to produce grade A pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, or retort processed after packaging milk or milk products shall:
1. Provide a separate receiving room meeting the requirements of subdivision C 1 y of this section from any other area of the plant for the receipt of milk or milk products in bulk if the plant receives any milk or milk products in bulk;
2. Provide cleaning and sanitizing facilities for milk tank trucks as part of the plant's receiving room facilities if the plant receives any milk or milk products in bulk;
3. Provide a separate receiving room from any other area of the plant for the receipt of milk or milk product in cans or other containers if the plant receives any milk or milk product in cans or other containers;
4. Provide a separate room from any other area of the plant for the cleaning of milk cans or containers, bottles, milk cases, and dry milk or milk product containers if the plant receives any milk in cans or containers or washes any bottles, milk cases, or dry milk or milk product containers;
5. Provide a separate room for the fabrication of containers and closures for milk and milk products if the plant fabricates any containers or closures;
6. Provide a separate room for the packaging of dry milk or milk products if the plant packages any dry milk or milk product; and
7. Provide separate rooms from any other area of the plant for each of the following operations performed on any milk, milk product, or condensed and dry milk product: (i) pasteurization; (ii) processing; (iii) cooling; (iv) reconstitution; (v) condensing; (vi) drying; and (vii) packaging, if the operation is performed in the plant.
VA.R. Doc. No. R18-34; Filed September 12, 2018, 10:01 a.m.