Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/12/23/2011-32925/grading-and-inspection-general-specifications-for-approved-plants-and-standards-for-grades-of-dairy
Timestamp: 2015-07-28 08:28:35
Document Index: 28340170

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 58', '§ 58', '§ 58', '§ 58', '§ 58', '§ 58']

Federal Register | Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Dairy Products; General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service
Dates: Submit written or electronic comments on or before February 21, 2012.
76 FR 80280
-80282 (3 pages)
Document Number: 2011-32925
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2011-32925 Related Topics
This document proposes to amend the General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Inspection and Grading Service (General Specifications) by raising the maximum allowable somatic cell count in producer herd goat milk from 1,000,000 cells per milliliter to 1,500,000 cells per milliliter. This will ensure that goat milk can continue to be shipped and recognizes that goats have a need for different regulatory limits for somatic cells than cows.
In addition this document proposes to eliminate mandatory sediment testing on producer milk except for milk in cans. The requirement for sediment testing has become outdated and is no longer needed.
Submit written or electronic comments on or before February 21, 2012.
By mail: Susan Sausville, Chief, Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, STOP 0230 (Room 2746 South Building), Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0230
By fax: (202) 720-2643
By internet: http://www.regulations.gov.
By email: Susan.Sausville@ams.usda.gov.
Comments should reference the docket number and the date and page number of this issue of the Federal Register. All comments submitted, including name and address, if provided will be included in the record and made available to the public via http://www.regulations.gov. The current General Specifications are available either from the above mailing address or by accessing the following internet address: http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/Genspecs.pdf.
A. Executive Order 12866 Back to Top
The proposed amendments would not have a significant economic impact since participation in the USDA-approved plant program is voluntary and the cost to those utilizing the program would not increase. C. Civil Justice Reform Back to Top
This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. This action is not intended to have retroactive effect. There are no administrative procedures that must be exhausted prior to any judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule.
The proposed change for goat milk raises the maximum allowable somatic cell count from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 cells per milliliter. Due to inherent differences between cows and goats, goat milk with a somatic cell count of 1,500,000 cells per milliliter can be produced from a healthy, non-mastitic udder and therefore is quality milk. The proposed change for goat milk will ensure its continued shipment and recognizes that goats have a need for different regulatory limits for somatic cells than cows. The need for a separate standard for goat milk was recognized by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), and a proposal to raise the somatic cell count in goat milk was approved at the 2009 NCIMS Conference. This proposed change will align the General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading with the Grade A requirements for goat milk.
The proposed change on sediment testing would eliminate the provisions imposing mandatory sediment testing on producer milk except for milk in cans. The requirement for sediment testing has become outdated and is no longer needed. The regulations governing sediment testing were promulgated in 1975 before dairy operations started using contained milking, storage, and transportation facilities for commercial milk production. The proposed change in sediment testing is based on the fact that the majority of milk sold in the United States is produced using automated milking equipment and systems that provide no opportunity for sediment contamination. Because milk production predominantly occurs in clean, modern facilities, using sealed lines, storage tanks and sanitary pumps with no “manual handling” sediment testing is no longer needed except for those producers using cans for milk collection where there is a risk of sediment contamination.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that 7 CFR part 58 be amended as follows:
Subpart B—General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service Back to Top
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, 7 U.S.C. 1621-1627.
2. Amend § 58.133 by revising paragraphs (b)(5) introductory text, (b)(5)(ii), and (b)(6) to read as follows:
§ 58.133 Methods for quality and wholesomeness determination.
Amend § 58.134 by revising the section heading, paragraphs (b), (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
§ 58.134 Sediment content for milk in cans.
(b) Sediment content classification. Milk in cans shall be classified for sediment content, regardless of the results of the appearance and odor examination required in § 58.133(a), as follows:
USDA Sediment Standard Back to Top
[FR Doc. 2011-32925 Filed 12-22-11; 8:45 am]