Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
Section 59a.108 - Sediment content classification(a)Method of testing. Methods for determining the sediment content of the milk of individual producers shall be those described in the Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products. Sediment content must be based on comparison with applicable charts of the United States Sediment Standards for Milk and Milk Products. These charts are available from the Dairy Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Room 2746-South, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0230.(b)Classifications. Milk shall be classified for sediment content in accordance with the USDA Sediment Standard, regardless of the results of the appearance and odor examination described in § 59a.107 (relating to appearance and odor), as set forth in this subsection. The USDA Sediment Standard defines the following classifications:(1) Milk classified as "No. 1" has a tested sediment content that does not exceed 0.50 mg. or equivalent, and is acceptable.(2) Milk classified as "No. 2" has a tested sediment content that does not exceed 1.50 mg. or equivalent, and is acceptable.(3) Milk classified as "No. 3" has a tested sediment content that does not exceed 2.50 mg. or equivalent, and is probational for not more than 10 days.(4) Milk classified as "No. 4" has a tested sediment content that exceeds 2.50 mg. or equivalent, and is rejected.(c)Frequency of tests. At least once each month, at irregular intervals, the milk from each producer shall be tested as follows: (1)Milk in cans. A sample shall be taken from one or more cans of milk selected at random from each producer.(2)Milk in farm bulk tanks. A sample shall be taken from each farm bulk tank.(d)Acceptance or rejection of milk.(1) If the sediment disc is classified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3, the producer's milk may be accepted.(2) If the sediment disc is classified as No. 4, the milk shall be rejected.(3) If the shipment of milk is commingled with other milk in a transport tank, the next shipment may not be accepted until its quality has been determined at the farm before being picked up. If the person making the test is unable to get to the farm before the next shipment, it may be accepted but no further shipments shall be accepted unless the milk meets the requirements of No. 3 or better. In the case of milk classified as No. 3 or No. 4, if in cans, all cans shall be tested. Producers of No. 3 or No. 4 milk-cans or bulk-shall be notified immediately and shall be furnished applicable sediment discs and the next shipment shall be tested.(e)Retests. On tests of the next shipment (if in cans, all cans shall be tested) milk classified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3, may be accepted, but No. 4 milk shall be rejected. Retests of bulk milk classified as No. 4 shall be made at the farm before pickup. The producers of No. 3 or No. 4 milk shall be notified immediately, furnished applicable sediment discs and the next shipment shall be tested. This procedure of retesting successive shipments and accepting probational (No. 3) milk and rejecting No. 4 milk may be continued for a period not to exceed 10 calendar days. If, at the end of this time, all of the producer's milk does not meet the acceptable sediment content classification (No. 1 or No. 2), it shall be excluded from market. This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 59a.105 (relating to approved milk graders); 7 Pa. Code § 59a.107 (relating to appearance and odor); 7 Pa. Code § 59a.113 (relating to suspended milk for manufacturing); and 7 Pa. Code § 59a.114 (relating to inspection and quality testing of milk from producers).