Raw Milk Testing Schedule and Standards
Required Action Interval | Type of Action or Test Required | Standard |
At all times | Maintain raw milk temperature in accordance with raw milk temperature standards. | Raw milk shall be cooled to 40° F (4° C) or less within 2 hours after milking, provided that the blend temperature after the first and subsequent milking does not exceed 50° F (10° C). |
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for coliform count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection | Bacterial count | Bacteria may not be present in excess of 20,000 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test. |
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for the presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors), described in this subsection | Coliform count | Coliform may not exceed 10 per milliliter. Note: Tested in conjunction with a drug residue/ inhibitory substance test. |
At least twice each month | Somatic cell count | The somatic cell count may not exceed 750,000/milliliter (1,500,000/ml for goat milk). |
At least twice each month, in conjunction with the tests for bacterial count and for coliform count, described in this subsection | Test for presence of drugs (including growth inhibitors) | There may be no positive results for drug residue, using drug residue detection laboratory techniques referenced in the current Grade "A" Pasteurized Milk Ordinance developed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. |
Once every 6 months | From a sample drawn from the bulk tank, test for presence of the following pathogenic bacteria: Salmonellae, Listeria monocytogenes, Camphylobacter and E. Coli 0157:H7 | There may be no pathogenic bacteria present. |
7 Pa. Code § 59a.408
This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 59a.404 (relating to requirements for the issuance of a raw milk permit); 7 Pa. Code § 59a.409 (relating to violations of raw milk testing standards); and 7 Pa. Code § 59a.411 (relating to label content review by the department).