| (A) Filter media. Air intake and pipeline filters shall consist of fiberglass with a downstream backing dense enough to prevent fiberglass breakoff from passing through cotton flannel, wool flannel, spun metal, electrostatic material, or other equally acceptable filtering media, which are non-shedding and which do not release to the air, toxic volatiles or volatiles which may impart any flavor or odor to the milk or milk product. (B) Filter performance. Intake air filter efficiency shall be at least 98% using air cleaner coarse test dust. Final filter efficiency shall be at least 99% as measured by the Dioctylphthalate Fog Method (DOP) test (with a mean particle diameter of 0.3 microns). When commercially sterile air is required, the final filter efficiency shall be at least 99.99% as measured by the DOP test. (C) Air supply equipment. The compressing equipment shall be designed to preclude contamination of the air with lubricant vapors and fumes. Oil-free air may be produced by one of the following methods or their equivalent: (i) use of a carbon ring piston compressor; (ii) use of oil-lubricated compressor with effective provision for removal of any oil vapor by cooling the compressed air; or (iii) water-lubricated or non-lubricated blowers. The air supply shall be taken from a clean space or from relatively clean outer air and shall pass through a filter upstream from the compressing equipment. This filter shall be located and constructed so that it is easily accessible for examination and the filter media are easily removable for cleaning or replacing. The filter shall be protected from weather, drainage, water, product spillage, and physical damage. (D) Moisture removal equipment. Air under pressure systems in excess of one bar, i.e., 103.5 kPa (15 psi), shall be provided with methods of moisture removal. The removal of moisture may be achieved by condensation and coalescing filtration or absorption, or equivalent, to prevent free water in the system. If it is necessary to cool the compressed air, an after-cooler shall be installed between the compressor and the air storage tank for the purpose of removing moisture from the compressed air. (E) Filters and moisture traps. Filters shall be constructed so as to ensure effective passage of air through the filter media only. The coalescing filter and associated traps shall be located in the air pipeline downstream from the compressing equipment, and from the air tank, if one is used. The filter shall be readily accessible for examination, cleaning, and for replacing the filter media. The moisture trap shall be equipped with a petcock or other means for draining accumulated water. When coalescing filters are used, a means shall be provided to measure the differential pressure across the filter. The differential pressure device is required to indicate the need for filter media replacement. All coalescing filter housings shall be provided with a means of removing the condensed liquid from the filtration device. This can be accomplished by an automatic or manual drain installed on the base of the filter housing. The final filter media shall be disposable. The filter media shall be located in the air line upstream from, and as close as possible to, the point of application except that a final filter shall not be required where the compressing equipment is of a fan or blower type and operating at a pressure of less than one (1) bar, i.e., 103.5 kPa (15 psi). Electronic air cleaners utilizing electrostatic precipitation principles to collect particulate matter may be used. Disposable filter media shall not be cleaned and reused. (F) Air piping. The air piping from the compressing equipment to the filter and moisture trap shall be readily drainable. A milk or milk product check-valve of sanitary design shall be installed in the air piping, downstream from the disposable media filter, to prevent backflow of milk or milk product into the air pipeline, except that a check-valve shall not be required if the air piping enters the milk or milk product zone from a point higher than the milk or milk product overflow level, which is open to the atmosphere, or is for dry product applications, or for other dry application where liquids are not present. When a check-valve is not required, plastic or rubber or rubber-like tubing and suitable compatible fittings and connections made of plastic or stainless steel may be used between the final filter and the point of application. Air distribution piping and fittings after the final filter shall be of corrosion-resistant materials. Air distribution piping, fittings and gaskets between the discharge of the sanitary check-valve to the processing equipment shall be sanitary piping. (3) Culinary steam for milk and milk products. The following methods and procedures will provide steam of culinary quality for use in the processing of milk and milk products. (A) Source of boiler feed water. Potable water or water supplies, acceptable to the department, shall be used. (B) Feed water treatment. Feed water may be treated, if necessary, for proper boiler care and operation. Boiler feed water treatment and control shall be under the supervision of trained personnel or a firm specializing in industrial water conditioning. Such personnel shall be informed that the steam is to be used for culinary purposes. Pretreatment of feed waters for boilers or steam generating systems to reduce water hardness, before entering the boiler or steam generator by ion exchange or other acceptable procedures, is preferable to the addition of conditioning compounds to boiler waters. Only compounds complying with Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), §173.310, may be used to prevent corrosion and scale in boilers, or to facilitate sludge removal. Amounts of the boiler water treatment compounds greater than the minimum necessary for controlling boiler scale or other boiler water treatment purposes shall not be used. No greater amount of steam than necessary shall be used for the treatment and/or pasteurization of milk and milk products. It should be noted that tannin, which is also frequently added to boiler water to facilitate sludge removal during boiler blow-down, has been reported to give rise to odor problems, and should be used with caution. Boiler compounds containing cyclohexylmine, morpholine, octadecylamine, diethylaminoethanol, trisodium nitrilotriacetae, and hydrazine shall not be permitted for use in steam in contact with milk and milk products. (C) Boiler operation. A supply of clean, dry saturated steam is necessary for proper equipment operation. Boilers and steam generation equipment shall be operated in such a manner as to prevent foaming, priming, carryover and excessive entrainment of boiler water into the steam. Carryover of boiler water additives can result in the production of milk or milk product off-flavors. Manufacturers' instructions regarding recommended water level and blow-down should be consulted and rigorously followed. The blow-down of the boiler should be carefully watched, so that an overconcentration of the boiler water solids and foaming is avoided. It is recommended that periodic analyses be made of condensate samples. Such samples should be taken from the line between the final steam separating equipment and the point of the introduction of steam into the milk or milk product. (4) Disposal of wastes. Dairy wastes shall be properly disposed of from the plant and premises. The sewer system shall have sufficient slope and capacity to readily remove all waste from the various processing operations. Where a public sewer is not available, all wastes shall be properly disposed of in a manner in compliance with local and state regulations. Containers used for the collection and holding of wastes shall be constructed of metal, plastic, or other equally impervious material and kept covered with tight-fitting lids and placed outside the plant on a concrete slab or on a rack raised at least 12 inches above the floor. Alternatively, waste containers may be kept inside an enclosed, clean, and fly-proof room. Solid wastes shall be disposed of at regular intervals to prevent the unsanitary accumulation of waste. (d) Equipment and utensils - General construction, repair, and installation. (1) All multi-use containers and equipment that milk and milk products come into contact with shall be of smooth, impervious, corrosion-resistant, non-toxic material shall be constructed for ease of cleaning and shall be kept in good repair. All single-service containers, closures, gaskets and other articles that milk and milk products come in contact with shall be non-toxic and shall have been manufactured, packaged, transported and handled in a sanitary manner. Articles intended for single-service use shall not be reused. (2) All equipment and piping shall be designed and installed so as to be easily accessible for cleaning, and shall be kept in good repair, free from cracks and corroded surfaces. New or rearranged equipment shall be set away from any wall or spaced in such a manner as to facilitate cleaning and to maintain good housekeeping. All parts or interior surfaces of equipment, pipes (except certain piping cleaned in place) or fittings, including valves and connections, shall be accessible for inspection. Milk and dairy product pumps shall be of a sanitary type and easily dismantled for cleaning or shall be of approved construction to allow effective cleaning in place in accordance with 3-A Cont'd... |
