Rule 40-2-16-.23 - Raw Milk Cooling(1)Cooling.(a) Raw milk must be cooled to 10ºC (50ºF) or less, within four (4) hours after starting the milking operation.(b) The milk must then be cooled to 7ºC (45ºF) or less, within two (2) additional hours.(c) The start of the milking operation is the moment when milk is first transferred to an empty, clean, and sanitized farm bulk milk tank, silo, or direct load milk tank truck.(d) The blend temperature after the first milking and subsequent milkings must not exceed 10ºC (50ºF).(2)Recirculation Systems.(a) Recirculated cooling water used in plate or tubular coolers and/or heat exchangers, including those systems in which a freezing point depressant is used, must be:1. From an approved system as outlined in 40-2-16-.13(1);2. Protected from contamination; and3. Tested for coliforms and E. coli at least once every six (6) month period.(b) Recirculated cooling water systems which become contaminated through repair work or otherwise must be properly treated and tested for coliforms and E. coli before being returned to use.(c) Freezing point depressants and other chemical additives when used in recirculating cooling water systems: 1. Must be non-toxic under conditions of use.2. Propylene glycol and all additives must be either USP Grade, Food Grade or generally-recognized-as-safe (GRAS).(d) To determine if recirculated cooling water samples have been taken at the frequency established in this Rule, the interval must include the designated six (6) month period plus the remaining days of the month in which the sample is due.(3)Temperature Recording Device. All farm tanks manufactured after January 1, 2000, must be equipped with an approved temperature recording device.(a) The device must be: 1. Installed in an area convenient to the bulk tank.2. The sensor must be located to permit the registering of the temperature of the contents when the tank contains no more than twenty (20)% of its capacity.3. Operated continuously.4. Maintained in a proper functioning manner.5. Circular charts must not overlap.6. Must be verified every six (6) months and documented in a manner acceptable to the Department.7. Records must be kept on premise for review for a minimum of six (6) months.(b) Recording charts must properly identify: 2. The date installed on the recorder, and3. The initials of the person installing the chart.(4)Appropriate Refrigeration.(a) No process or manipulation other than appropriate refrigeration can be applied to raw milk for human consumption for the purpose of removing or deactivating microorganisms.(b) All finished, processed, and packaged raw milk for human consumption must be maintained at 7ºC (45ºF) or less after processing, during storage, and during transportation.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-2-16-.23
O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450, et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Raw Milk Cooling" adopted. F. June 9, 2023; eff. July 1, 2023, as specified by the Agency.