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TITLE 25HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 217MILK AND DAIRY
SUBCHAPTER EDAIRY PRODUCTS AND MILK FOR MANUFACTURING PURPOSES
RULE §217.74Requirements for Milk Plants Producing Dairy Products

(a) General requirements.

  (1) Plant cleanliness. All rooms in which dairy products are handled, processed or stored, or in which containers, utensils and/or equipment are washed or stored, shall be kept clean, neat and free of evidence of insects and rodents. Only insecticides and rodenticides approved for use by the department and/or registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall be used for insect and rodent control. Only equipment directly related to processing operations or the handling of containers, utensils, and equipment shall be permitted in the pasteurizing, processing, cooling, condensing, drying, packaging, and bulk milk or milk product storage rooms. All piping, floors, walls, ceilings, fans, shelves, tables and the non-product-contact surfaces of other facilities and equipment shall be clean. No trash, solid waste or waste dry product shall be stored within the milk plant, except in covered containers. Excessive product dust shall be kept under effective control by the use of exhaust and collective systems designed for in-plant dust control. Tailings and materials collected from exhaust collective systems shall not be used for human consumption.

  (2) Surroundings. The adjacent surroundings shall be free from refuse, rubbish, and waste materials to prevent harborage of rodents, insects, and other vermin. The premises shall be kept in a clean and orderly condition, and shall be free from strong or foul odors, or smoke. Construction and maintenance of adjacent plant traffic areas shall be of concrete, asphalt, or similar material to keep dust and mud to a minimum.

  (3) Drainage. A suitable drainage system shall be provided which will allow rapid drainage of all water from plant buildings and driveways, including surface water around the plant and on the premises, and all such water shall be disposed of in such a manner as to prevent a nuisance or health hazard and in compliance with state, district, and local regulations.

(b) Buildings.

  (1) The building or buildings shall be of sound construction and shall be kept in good repair to prevent the entrance or harboring of rodents, birds, insects, vermin, dogs, and cats. All service pipe openings through outside walls shall be sealed around the opening or provided with tight metal collars.

  (2) All openings to the outer air shall be effectively protected by: screening or effective electric screen panels; fans or air curtains which provide sufficient air velocity so as to prevent the entrance of insects; properly constructed flaps where it is impractical to use self-closing doors or air curtains; or any effective combination of the above or by any other method which prevents the entrance of insects. All outer doors shall be tight and self-closing. Screen doors shall open outward. All outer openings shall be rodent-proofed to the extent necessary to prevent the entry of rodents.

  (3) The walls, ceilings, partitions, and posts of rooms in which milk or dairy products are processed, manufactured, handled, packaged, or stored (except dry storage of packaged finished products and supplies) or in which utensils are washed and stored, shall be smooth with material that is light colored, resistant to moisture, and easy to keep clean.

  (4) Floors.

    (A) The floors of all rooms in which milk or dairy products are processed, manufactured, packaged, or stored or in which utensils are washed shall be constructed of tile laid with impervious joint material, concrete, or other equally impervious material. The floors shall be smooth, kept in good repair, graded so that there will be no pools of standing water or milk products after flushing, and all openings to the drains shall be equipped with traps properly constructed and kept in good repair.

    (B) Sound, smooth wood floors which can be kept clean, may be used in rooms where new containers and supplies and packaged finished products are stored.

  (5) Lighting and ventilation.

    (A) Adequate light sources shall be provided (natural, artificial or a combination of both) which furnish at least 20 foot-candles (220 lux) of light in all working areas. This shall apply to all rooms where milk or milk products are handled, processed, packaged, or stored; or where containers, utensils and/or equipment are washed. Dry storage and cold storage rooms shall be provided with at least five foot-candles (55 lux) of light.

    (B) Ventilation in all rooms shall be sufficient to keep them reasonably free of odors and excessive condensation on equipment, walls and ceilings.

    (C) Pressurized ventilating systems, if used, shall have a filtered air intake.

    (D) For milk plants that condense and/or dry milk or milk products, ventilating systems in packaging rooms, where used, shall be separate systems and where possible have the ducts installed in a vertical position.

  (6) Rooms and compartments.

    (A) Pasteurizing, processing, reconstitution, cooling, condensing, drying, and packaging of milk and milk products shall be conducted in a single room, or separate rooms, but not in the same room used for the cleaning of milk cans, portable storage bins, bottles and cases, or the unloading and/or cleaning and sanitizing of milk tank trucks, provided that these rooms may be separated by solid partitioning doors that are kept closed. Handwashing of milk cans, portable storage bins, bottles and cases may be permitted in a single room, provided that these operations are conducted in a manner that precludes contamination of the finished dairy product. Cooling, either plate or tubular, may be done in the room where milk tank trucks are unloaded and/or cleaned and sanitized. Separation/clarification of raw milk may be done in an enclosed room where milk tank trucks are unloaded and/or cleaned and sanitized.

    (B) Coolers and freezers. Coolers and freezers where dairy products are stored shall be clean, dry and maintained at a uniform temperature and humidity to protect the product from deterioration, and minimize the growth of mold. Circulation of air shall maintain uniform temperature and humidity at all times. Coolers and freezers shall be free from rodents, insects, and pests. Shelves shall be kept clean and dry. Refrigeration units shall have provisions for collecting and disposing of condensate.

      (i) Bulk milk and milk products shall be handled and stored to maintain an internal temperature of 45 degrees F or below.

      (ii) Packaged milk and milk products shall be handled and stored to maintain an internal temperature of 41 degrees F or below.

      (iii) Freezers shall be maintained so that frozen food remains frozen at all times.

    (C) Supply rooms. The supply rooms used for the storing of packaging materials, containers, and miscellaneous ingredients shall be kept clean, dry, orderly, free from insects, rodents, and mold, and maintained in good repair. These items stored therein shall be adequately protected from dust, dirt, or other extraneous matter, and so arranged on racks, shelves, or pallets to permit access to the supplies and cleaning and inspection of the room. Insecticides, rodenticides and cleaning compounds shall be properly labeled and segregated, and stored in a separate room or cabinet away from milk, dairy products, ingredients, or packaging supplies.

    (D) Boiler and tool rooms. The boiler and tool rooms shall be separated from other rooms where milk and dairy products are processed, manufactured, packaged, handled, or stored. The rooms shall be kept orderly and reasonably free from dust and dirt.

    (E) Toilet and dressing rooms. Toilet facilities shall be provided and be conveniently located. Toilet rooms may not open directly into any room in which milk and/or milk products are processed, condensed or dried, and stored. Toilet rooms shall be completely enclosed and have tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Dressing rooms, toilet rooms, and fixtures are kept in a clean condition, in good repair and are well ventilated and well lighted. Toilet tissue and easily cleanable covered waste receptacles shall be provided in toilet rooms. All plumbing shall be installed to meet the applicable provisions of the state or local plumbing code. Sewage and other liquid wastes shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner, and non-water-carried sewage disposal facilities shall not be used.

    (F) Starter facilities. Sanitary facilities shall be provided for the handling of starter cultures.

  (7) Handwashing facilities. Handwashing facilities shall be provided, including hot and cold running water, soap or other detergents, and sanitary single-service towels or air dryers. The facilities shall be located in or adjacent to toilet and dressing rooms and also at such other places in the plant as may be essential to the cleanliness of all personnel handling products. Vats for washing equipment or utensils shall not be used as handwashing facilities. Self-closing metal or plastic containers shall be provided for used towels and other wastes.

  (8) Drinking water facilities. Drinking water facilities shall be provided in the plant and shall be conveniently located.

(c) Facilities.

  (1) Water supply.

Cont'd...

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