S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-34.VII

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-34.VII - Standards for Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products for Human Consumption

A. General

1. All raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption shall be produced to conform with the following chemical, bacteriological, and temperature standards, and the sanitation requirements of this section.

2. No process or manipulation other than appropriate refrigeration shall be applied to raw milk or raw milk products for the purpose of removing or deactivating microorganisms.

Table 1. Chemical, Physical, Bacteriological, and Temperature Standards
SC GRADE "A" RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION	Temperature	Raw milk: Cooled to 10°C (50°F) or less within four (4) hours or less, of the commencement of the first milking, and to 7°C (45°F) or less within two (2) hours after milking, provided, that the blend temperature after the first and subsequent milkings does not exceed 10°C (50°F). Raw milk and raw milk products: All finished, processed, and packaged raw milk and raw milk products shall be maintained at 7°C (45° F) or less after processing, during storage, and during transportation. Production of buttermilk shall also meet the requirements of Section VIII.A.3.
Bacterial Limits	Individual producer raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed 10,000 per mL
Drugs	No positive results on drug residue detection methods
Somatic Cell Count*	Individual producer raw milk not to exceed 500,000 per mL.
Coliform	Not to exceed 10 per gram.
Pathogenic Organisms: **Escherichia Coli	Individual producer: raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed zero (0) organisms
**0157:H7	Individual producer: raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed zero (0) organisms
**Salmonella	Individual producer: raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed zero (0) organisms
**Listeria Monocytogenes	Individual producer: raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed zero (0) organisms
**Campylobacter	Individual producer: raw milk and raw milk products not to exceed zero (0) organisms

*Goat Milk 1,000,000 per mL: when greater than 1,000,000, additional confirmatory or screening tests will be used.

**Pathogenic testing required before permitting and in association with a foodborne disease outbreak. See Section V.C.1, V.C.2, and V.F.

B. Sanitation Requirements for SC Grade "A" Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products for Human Consumption.

1. Milk with Abnormalities

a. Lactating animals which show evidence of the secretion of milk with abnormalities in one (1) or more quarters, based upon bacteriological, chemical, or physical examination, shall be milked last or with separate equipment and the milk shall be discarded as the Department may direct.

b. Lactating animals that have been treated with, or have consumed, chemical, medicinal, or radioactive agents, which are capable of being secreted in the milk and which, in the judgment of the Department, may be deleterious to human health, shall be milked last or with separate equipment and the milk disposed of as the Department may direct.

c. Raw milk or raw milk products from lactating animals being treated with medicinal agents, which are capable of being secreted in the milk, shall not be offered for sale for such period as is recommended by the attending veterinarian or as indicated on the package label of the medicinal agent.

d. Raw milk or raw milk products from lactating animals treated with or exposed to insecticides not approved for use on dairy animals by the United States Environmental Protection Agency shall not be offered for sale.

e. The Department may require additional tests for the detection of milk with abnormalities as it deems necessary.

f. Bloody, stringy, off-colored milk, or milk that is abnormal to sight or odor, shall be handled and disposed of as to preclude the infection of other lactating animals and the contamination of milk utensils.

g. Lactating animals secreting milk with abnormalities shall be milked last or in separate equipment which effectively prevents the contamination of the wholesome supply. Milking equipment used on animals with abnormalities in their milk shall be maintained clean to reduce the possibility of re-infecting or cross infection of the dairy animals.

h. Equipment, utensils, and containers used for the handling of milk with abnormalities shall not be used for the handling of raw milk or raw milk products to be offered for sale, unless they are first cleaned and effectively sanitized.

i. Processed animal waste derivatives used as a feed ingredient for any portion of the total ration of the lactating dairy animal shall:

(1) Be properly processed in accordance with at least those requirements contained in the Model Regulations for Processed Animal Wastes developed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials; and

(2) Not contain levels of deleterious substances, harmful pathogenic organisms, or other toxic substances which are secreted in the milk at any level that may be harmful to human health.

j. Unprocessed poultry litter and unprocessed recycled animal body discharges shall not be fed to lactating dairy animals.

2. Milking Barn, or Parlor Construction

A milking barn or parlor shall be provided on all dairy farms in which the milking herd shall be housed during milking time operations.

a. All floors must be constructed of concrete or equally impervious material. Floors shall be easily cleaned and shall be graded to drain and maintained in good repair and free of excessive breaks or worn areas that may create pools.

b. Walls and ceilings shall be smooth, painted, or finished in an approved manner, and be in good repair. Ceilings shall be dust-tight; approved materials include wood, tile, smooth-surfaced concrete, cement plaster, brick, or other equivalent materials with light colored surfaces. Walls, partitions, doors, shelves, windows, and ceilings shall be kept in good repair; and surfaces shall be refinished whenever wear or discoloration is evident. Whenever feed is stored overhead, ceilings shall be constructed to prevent the sifting of chaff and dust into the milking barn, stable, or parlor. If a hay opening is provided from the loft into the milking portion of the barn, such opening shall be provided with a dust-tight door which shall be kept closed during milking operations.

c. Separate stalls or pens for horses, calves, and bulls shall be provided. Such portions of the barn that are not separated by tight partitions shall comply with all requirements of this item.

d. Natural and/or artificial light well distributed for day and/or night milking must be provided to ensure that all surfaces and particularly the working areas will be plainly visible. The equivalent of at least ten (10) foot-candles (110 lux) of light in all working areas shall be provided.

e. Sufficient air space and air circulation to prevent condensation and excessive odors must be provided.

f. There must be no overcrowding by the presence of calves, cows, or other barnyard animals in walk or feed alleys. Inadequate ventilation and excessive odors may also be evidence of an overcrowded barn.

g. There must be dust-tight covered boxes or bins, or separate storage facilities for ground, chopped, or concentrated feed. A dust-tight partition, provided with doors that are kept closed except when in actual use, shall separate the milking portion of the barn from any feed room or silo in which feed is ground or mixed, or in which sweet feed is stored. When conditions warrant, the Department may approve a barn without four (4) walls extending from floor to roof, or a shed-type barn provided the requirement of Section VII.B.3, which prohibits animals and fowl from entering the barn, is satisfied. Lactating animal-housing areas (stables without stanchions, such as loose housing stables, pen stables, resting barns, free stall barns, holding barns, loafing sheds, and wandering sheds) may be of shed-type construction, provided no milking is conducted therein. (These structures are classified as part of the cowyard under Section VII.B.4.)

h. The Department may grant a variance or waiver from one or more of the requirements of paragraphs VII.B.2.a through VII.B.2.g when, in the opinion of the Department, a health hazard or nuisance will not result from the variance or waiver.

3. Milking Barn, Stable, or Parlor Cleanliness

a. The interior of the milking barn, stable, or parlor shall be kept clean. Floors, walls, ceilings, windows, pipelines, and equipment shall be free of filth and/or litter and shall be clean. Outside surfaces of pipeline systems located in the milking barn, stable, or parlor must be kept reasonably clean.

b. Gutter cleaners must be kept reasonably clean.

c. Swine and fowl shall be kept out of the milking barn.

d. Feed shall be stored in a manner that will not increase the dust content of the air or interfere with the cleaning of the floor (as in covered, dust-tight boxes or bins). Open feed dollies or carts may be used for distributing the feed, but not storing food, in the milking area.

e. Food mangers shall be kept clean so as not to attract flies; leftover feed in feed mangers must appear fresh and not be wet or soggy.

4. Cowyard

a. The cowyard, which is interpreted to be the enclosed or unenclosed area approximately adjacent to the milking barn in which the lactating animals may congregate, including animal-housing areas and feed lots, shall be graded and drained and shall have no standing pools of water or accumulations of organic wastes.

b. Wastes from the barn, milkroom, or processing room shall not be allowed to pool in the cowyard. Depressions and soggy areas shall be filled, and lactating animal lanes kept reasonably dry. Cowyards which are muddy due to recent rains should not be considered as violating this item.

c. Manure, soiled bedding, and waste feed shall not be stored or permitted to accumulate in such a manner as to permit the soiling of lactating animals' udders and flanks. Animal-housing areas (stables without stanchions, such as loose-housing stables, pen stables, resting barns, holding barns, loafing sheds, wandering sheds, free-stall housing) shall be considered part of the cowyard. Manure packs shall be solid to the footing of the animal.

d. In loafing or lactating animal housing areas, lactating animal droppings and soiled bedding shall be removed, or clean bedding added, at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent the soiling of the lactating animal's udder and flanks.

e. Waste feed shall not be allowed to accumulate.

f. Swine shall be kept out of the cowyard.

g. Cowyards shall be kept reasonably free of animal droppings. Animal droppings shall not be allowed to accumulate in piles that are accessible to the animals.

5. Milkroom or Processing Room-Construction and Facilities

a. A separate milkroom and/or processing room of sufficient size shall be provided, in which the cooling, handling, further processing, and storing of milk and the washing, sanitizing, and storing of milk containers and utensils shall be conducted, except as provided for in Section VII.B.12 of this Regulation.

b. Every milkroom and processing room shall be provided with a smooth floor constructed of concrete or equally impervious material graded to drain and maintained in good repair. Floors shall be sloped to drains so that there are no pools of standing water. Liquid waste shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner; all floor drains shall be accessible and shall be trapped if connected to a sanitary sewer system.

c. The joints between floors and walls shall be watertight.

d. The walls and ceilings shall be constructed of smooth material, in good repair, well painted, or finished in an equally suitable manner. Surfaces and joints shall be tight and smooth. Acceptable materials include sheet metal, tile, cement block, brick, concrete, cement plaster, or similar materials of light color. Surfaces up to splash height shall be non-absorbent and easily cleanable.

e. Every milkroom and processing room shall have adequate natural and/or artificial light and be well ventilated. A minimum of twenty (20) foot-candles (220 lux) of light shall be provided at all working areas from natural and/or artificial light for milkroom and processing room operations.

f. The milkroom and processing room shall be used for no other purpose than milkroom and processing room operations; there shall be no direct opening into any barn, stable, parlor or into a room used for domestic purposes. A direct opening between the milkroom or processing room and milking barn, stable or parlor is permitted when a tight-fitting self-closing solid door(s) hinged to be single or double acting is provided and opens outward from the milk room. A vestibule, if used, must comply with the applicable milkroom and processing room construction requirements. Screened vents in the wall between the milkroom or processing room and a breezeway, which separates the milkroom or processing room from the milking parlor, are permitted, provided animals are not housed within the milking facility.

g. Water under pressure shall be piped into the milkroom and/or processing room.

h. Every milkroom and processing room shall be adequately ventilated to minimize odors and condensation on floors, walls, ceilings, and clean utensils.

i. Vents, if installed, and lighting fixtures shall be located to preclude the contamination of bulk milk tanks or clean utensil storage area.

j. The milkroom and/or processing room shall be equipped with a wash-and-rinse vat having at least two (2) compartments. Each compartment must be of sufficient size to accommodate the largest utensil or container used. The cleaning-in-place vat for milk pipelines and milk machines may be accepted as one (1) part of the two (2)-compartment vat; provided that the cleaning-in-place station rack in or on the vat and milking machine inflations and appurtenances are completely removed from the vat during the washing, rinsing, and/or sanitizing of other utensils and equipment. Where mechanical cleaning/recirculated systems eliminate the need for handwashing of equipment, the presence of the second wash vat compartment may be optional if so determined by the Department on an individual farm basis.

k. Each milkroom and/or processing room shall be provided with facilities for heating water in sufficient quantity and to such temperatures for the effective cleaning of all equipment and utensils.

6. Milkroom and Processing Room - Cleanliness

a. The floors, walls, ceilings, windows, tables, shelves, cabinets, wash vats, non-product contact surfaces of milk containers, utensils, and equipment, and other milkroom or processing room equipment shall be kept clean. Vestibules, if provided, shall be kept clean.

b. Only articles directly related to milkroom or processing room activities shall be permitted in the milkroom or processing room.

c. The milkroom and processing room shall be kept free of trash, animals, and fowl.

d. Incidental articles such as desks, refrigerators, and storage cabinets may be in the milkroom or processing room provided they are kept clean, ample space is available to conduct the normal operations in the milkroom or processing room, and they will not cause contamination of the milk.

7. Toilet

a. Every dairy farm shall be provided with one (1) or more toilets, conveniently located and properly constructed, operated, maintained and utilized in a sanitary manner. There shall be at least one (1) flush toilet connected to a public sewer system or to an individual sewage-disposal system, or if occupied for less than two (2) hours per day, a portable chemical toilet may be used. Such sewage systems shall be constructed and operated in accordance with applicable Department regulations and statutes.

b. The waste shall be inaccessible to flies and shall not pollute the soil surface or contaminate any water supply.

c. The toilet room, including all fixtures and facilities, shall be kept clean and free of insects and odors.

d. Where flush toilets are used, doors to toilet rooms shall be tight and self-closing. All outer openings in toilet rooms shall be screened or otherwise protected against the entrance of insects.

8. Water Supply

a. Water for milkroom or processing room and milking operations shall be from an approved supply properly located, protected, and operated, and shall be easily accessible, adequate, and of a safe, sanitary quality.

b. No cross-connection shall exist between a safe water supply and any unsafe or questionable water supply, or any other source of pollution.

c. There shall be no submerged inlets through which a safe water supply may be contaminated.

d. The well or other source of water shall be located and constructed in such a manner that neither underground nor surface contamination from any sewerage systems, privy, or other source of pollution can reach such water supply.

e. New individual water supplies and water supply systems that have been repaired or otherwise become contaminated shall be thoroughly disinfected before being placed in use. The supply shall be made free of the disinfectant by pumping to waste before any sample for bacteriological testing shall be collected.

f. All containers and tanks used in the transportation of water shall be sealed and protected from possible contamination. These containers and tanks shall be subjected to a thorough cleaning and a bacteriological treatment prior to filling with potable water to be used at the dairy farm. To minimize the possibility of contamination of the water during its transfer from the potable tanks to the elevated or groundwater storage at the dairy farm, a suitable pump, hose, and fittings shall be provided. When the pump, hose, and fittings are not being used, the outlets shall be capped and stored in a suitable dust-proof enclosure to prevent their contamination. The storage tank at the dairy farm shall be constructed of impervious material provided with a dust and rainproof cover, as well as with an approved-type vent and roof hatch. All new reservoirs, or reservoirs which have been cleaned, shall be disinfected prior to placing them into service.

g. Samples for bacteriological examination shall be taken upon the initial approval of the physical structure based upon the requirements of this Regulation, when any repair or alteration of the water supply system has been made, and at least every year.

h. Bacteriological examinations shall be conducted in a laboratory acceptable to the Department.

i. Current records of water test results shall be retained on file with the Department or as the Department directs.

9. Utensils and Equipment - Construction

a. All multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils that are exposed to raw milk or raw milk products, or from which liquids may drip, drain or be drawn into raw milk or raw milk products, and used in the handling, storage, or transportation of milk shall be made of smooth, non-absorbent, corrosion-resistant, nontoxic materials, and shall be constructed to be easily cleaned. Acceptable materials include:

(1) Stainless steel of the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) 300 series, or equally corrosion-resistant, nontoxic metal;

(2) Heat-resistant glass; or

(3) Plastic or rubber and rubber-like materials which are relatively inert, resistant to scratching, scoring, decomposition, crazing, chipping, and distortion under normal use conditions; are nontoxic, fat resistant, relatively nonabsorbent, and relatively insoluble; do not release component chemicals or impart flavor or odor to the product; and which maintain their original properties under repeated use conditions.

b. All containers, utensils, and equipment shall be in good repair and shall be free of breaks, corrosion, pits, cracks, or inclusions.

c. All milk pails used for hand milking and stripping shall be seamless and of the hooded type. Seamless hooded pails having an opening not exceeding one-third the area of that of an open pail of the same size shall be used for hand milking and hand stripping.

d. Strainers, if used, shall be constructed of perforated metal design, or single-service strainer media should be utilized. Multiple-use woven material shall not be used for straining milk.

e. All single-service articles shall be manufactured, packaged, transported, stored, and handled in a sanitary manner and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section IX. Articles intended for single-service use shall not be reused.

f. Farm holding/cooling tanks, welded sanitary piping, and transportation tanks shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section VII.B.9.a, g, and h.

g. Mechanically cleaned milk pipelines and return-solution lines shall be self-draining. If gaskets are used, they shall be self-positioning and of material meeting specifications described in Section VII.B.9.a.(3), and shall be of such design, finish, and application as to form a smooth, flush interior surface. If gaskets are not used, all fittings shall have self-positioning faces designed to form a smooth, flush interior surface. All interior surfaces of welded joints in pipelines shall be smooth and free of pits, cracks, and inclusions.

h. Mechanically cleaned milk pipelines and return solution lines installed after the effective date of this Regulation shall have welded ferrule/flange fittings; rolled fittings shall not be used.

i. Detailed plans for cleaned-in-place pipeline systems shall be submitted to the Department for written approval prior to installation. No alteration or addition shall be made to any milk pipeline system without prior written approval of the Department.

j. All milking machines, including heads, milk claws, milk tubing, and other milk-contact surfaces shall be constructed to be easily cleaned and inspected. Pipelines, milking equipment, and appurtenances that require a screwdriver or special tool shall be considered easily accessible for inspection, provided the necessary tools are available at the milkroom or processing room. Milking systems shall not have components incorporated in the return solution lines that by design do not comply with the criteria for product-contact surfaces, such as:

(1) Ball type plastic valves;

(2) Plastic tees with barbed ridges to better grip the plastic or rubber hoses; and

(3) PVC water type piping.

k. Milk cans shall have umbrella-type lids.

l. Farm holding/cooling tanks, welded sanitary piping, and transportation tanks shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Regulation.

m. During filling, flexible plastic/rubber hoses may be used between the fill valves of bottom fill and top fill bulk milk storage tanks, when needed for functional purposes. Such hoses shall be drainable, be as short as practical, have sanitary fittings, and be supported to maintain uniform slope and alignment. The end fittings of such hoses shall be permanently attached in such a manner that will assure a crevice-free joint between the hose and the fitting and can be cleaned by mechanical means. The hoses shall be included as part of a mechanical cleaning system.

n. Transparent flexible plastic tubing (up to 150 feet in length) used in connection with milk transfer stations shall be considered acceptable if it meets the "3-A Sanitary Standards for Multiple-Use Plastic Materials Used as Product Contact Surfaces for Dairy Equipment, Number 20" and if it remains sufficiently clear that the interior surfaces can be properly inspected. Short lengths of flexible plastic tubing (eight feet or less) may be inspected for cleanliness by sight or by use of a "rod." The transparency or opacity of such tubing under this condition is not a factor in determining cleanliness.

o. Whenever air under pressure is used for the agitation or movement of milk, or is directed at a milk-contact surface, it shall be free of oil, dust, rust, excessive moisture, extraneous materials, and odor.

10. Utensils and Equipment-Cleaning

a. The product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils used in the handling, storage, or transportation of raw milk and raw milk products shall be cleaned after each milking or once every twenty-four (24) hours for continuous operations.

b. There shall be a separate wash manifold for all mechanically cleaned milk pipelines in all new or extensively remodeled facilities.

11. Utensils and Equipment - Sanitization

a. The product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers, equipment, and utensils used in the handling, storage, or transportation of raw milk and raw milk products shall be sanitized before each usage.

b. Sanitization shall be achieved by use of the following methods:

(1) Complete immersion in hot water at a temperature of at least 77°C (170°F), for at least five (5) minutes, or exposure to a flow of hot water at a temperature of at least 77°C (170°F), as determined by the use of a suitable accurate thermometer (at the outlet) for at least five (5) minutes;

(2) Complete immersion for at least one (1) minute in or exposure for at least one (1) minute to a flow of a chemical sanitizer of acceptable strength. All product-contact surfaces must be wetted by the sanitizing solution, and piping so treated must be filled. Sanitizing sprays may be used. Chemical solutions, once used, shall not be reused for sanitizing but may be reused for other purposes; or

(3) By any method which has been demonstrated to be equally effective and approved by the FDA, EPA, or the Department.

12. Utensils and Equipment - Storage

a. All containers, utensils, and equipment used in the handling, storage, or transportation of raw milk and raw milk products, unless stored in sanitizing solutions, shall be stored to assure complete drainage and shall be protected from contamination prior to use, except that pipeline milking equipment such as milker claws, inflations, weigh jars, meters, milk hoses, milk receivers, tubular coolers, plate coolers, milk pumps, and AMI milking equipment which are designed for mechanical cleaning and other equipment, as accepted by FDA, which meets these criteria, may be stored in the milking barn or parlor, provided this equipment is designed, installed, and operated to protect the product and solution-contact surfaces from contamination at all times.

b. Strainer pads, parchment papers, gaskets, and similar single-service articles shall be stored in a suitable container or cabinet and protected against contamination.

13. Utensils and Equipment-Handling After sanitization, all containers, utensils, and equipment shall be handled in a manner that prevents contamination of any product-contact surface.

a. Sanitized product-contact surfaces, including farm cooling holding tank openings and outlets, shall be protected against contact with unsanitized equipment and utensils, hands, clothing, splash, condensation, and other sources of contamination.

b. Any sanitized product-contact surface which has been otherwise exposed to contamination shall be cleaned and sanitized before being used.

14. Milking-Flanks, Udders, and Teats

a. Milking shall be done in the milking barn or parlor.

b. The flanks, udders, bellies, and tails of all milking cows shall be free from visible dirt. All brushing shall be completed prior to milking.

c. The udders and teats shall be cleaned and treated with a sanitizing solution just prior to the time of milking, and shall be relatively dry before milking. Sanitizing solutions shall be used in accordance with manufacturer specifications and recommendations.

d. Wet hand milking is prohibited.

e. Flanks, bellies, tails, and udders shall be clipped as often as necessary to facilitate cleaning of these areas.

15. Drug and Chemical Control

a. Cleaners and Sanitizers

(1) Cleaners and sanitizers shall be stored in dedicated end-use containers which properly identify the contents.

(2) Bulk cleaners and sanitizers that are transferred from the manufacturer's or distributor's container shall be stored only in an end-use container that is properly labeled with the container's contents.

(3) The manufacturer's or distributor's label for each cleaner and sanitizer, including the product name, chemical description, use directions, precautionary and warning statement, first aid instructions, container storage and maintenance instructions and the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor, shall be maintained on the premises and be readily accessible for reference or inspection.

b. Drugs

(1) Drugs shall be properly labeled to include the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or veterinary practitioner dispensing the product for prescription and extra label use drugs. Drug labels shall also include:

(a) Directions for use and prescribed withholding times;

(b) Cautionary statements, if needed; and

(c) Active ingredient(s) in the drug product.

(2) Drugs dispensed by a pharmacy on the order of a veterinarian shall have labeling that includes the name of the prescribing veterinarian and the name and address of the dispensing pharmacy; the address of the prescribing veterinarian may be included on the labeling.

(3) Drugs intended for treatment of non-lactating dairy animals shall be segregated from those drugs used for lactating animals in separate shelves in cabinets, refrigerators, or other storage facilities.

(4) Unapproved drugs shall not be used and shall not be stored in the milkroom, processing room, milking barn, stable, or parlor.

(5) Animal drugs and drug administration equipment shall be stored in such a way that milk, milking equipment, wash vats, and hand sinks are not subject to contamination by the drugs.

(6) Equipment used to administer drugs shall not be cleaned in the wash vats.

(7) Topical antiseptics and wound dressings, unless intended for direct injection into the teat, vaccines and other biologics, and dosage form vitamins and/or mineral products are exempt from labeling and storage requirements, except when it is determined that they are stored in such a manner that they may contaminate the raw milk or raw milk product-contact surfaces of containers, utensils, or equipment.

16. Milking-Transfer and Protection of Milk

a. Each pail or container of milk shall be taken immediately from the milking barn or parlor to the milkroom or processing room. No milk shall be strained, poured, transferred, or stored outside the milkroom or processing room.

b. The milk receiving receptacle shall be raised above the floor.

17. Personnel

a. Adequate handwashing facilities shall be provided, including a lavatory fixture with hot and cold, or warm running water, soap or detergent, and individual sanitary towels, or other approved hand drying devices, convenient to the milkroom, processing room, milking barn, stable, parlor and flush toilet, and shall be used for no other purpose. Utensil wash and rinse vats shall not be considered as handwashing facilities.

b. Hands shall be washed clean and dried with an individual sanitary towel or other approved hand drying device immediately before milking, before performing any milkroom or processing room function, and immediately after the interruption of any of these activities. Milkers shall wear clean outer garments while milking or handling raw milk, raw milk products, milk containers, utensils, or equipment.

c. No person who by medical examination or supervisory observation is shown to have or appears to have an illness, open lesion (including boils, sores, or infected wounds) or any other abnormal source of microbial contamination shall work at any dairy farm in any capacity that brings them into contact with the production, handling, storage, or transportation of raw milk, raw milk products, containers, equipment, and/or utensils.

d. When reasonable cause exists to suspect the possibility of transmission of infection or disease from any person associated with the handling of raw milk or raw milk products, the Department may:

(1) Order the immediate exclusion of that person from raw milk handling or handling of raw milk products;

(2) Order the immediate exclusion of the raw milk or raw milk products concerned from distribution and consumption;

(3) Order adequate medical and bacteriological examination of the person to determine if an infection or disease is present; or

(4) Order any combination of the previous measures.

18. Cooling

a. Raw milk shall be cooled to 10°C (50°F) or less within four (4) hours or less of the commencement of the first milking, and to 7°C (45° F) or less within two (2) hours after the completion of milking, and shall be maintained at that temperature, including during packaging and transportation; except that, the blend temperature after the first milking and subsequent milking shall not exceed 10°C (50°F).

b. All finished, processed, and packaged raw milk and raw milk products shall be maintained at 7°C (45° F) or less after processing, during storage, and during transportation.

c. Recirculated cold water that is used in plate or tubular coolers or heat exchangers shall be from a safe source and protected from contamination. Such water shall be tested semiannually and shall comply with the bacteriological standards set by the Department.

19. Vehicles.

Vehicles used to transport raw milk and raw milk products shall be constructed and operated to protect their contents from sun, freezing, and contamination. Such vehicles shall be kept clean, inside and out; no substance capable of contaminating raw milk or raw milk products shall be transported with raw milk or raw milk products.

20. Insect and Rodent Control.

a. Effective measures shall be taken to prevent the contamination of milk, containers, equipment, and utensils by insects and rodents, and by chemicals used to control such vermin.

b. Milkrooms and processing rooms shall be free of insects and rodents.

c. Surroundings shall be kept neat, clean, and free of conditions which might harbor or be conducive to the breeding of insects and rodents.

d. Feed shall be stored in such a manner that it will not attract birds, rodents, or insects.

e. Manure packs in loafing areas, stables without stanchions, pen stables, resting barns, wandering sheds, and free-stall housing shall be properly bedded and managed to prevent fly breeding.

f. Milkrooms and processing rooms shall be effectively screened or otherwise protected against the entrance of vermin, including hose ports and floor drains through walls.

g. Outer milkroom and processing rooms doors shall be tight and self-closing. Screen doors shall open outward.

h. Only pesticides approved for use by the Department and/or registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shall be used for insect and rodent control.

i. Pesticides shall be used only in accordance with manufacturer's directions.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-34.VII

Amended by State Register Volume 33, Issue No. 6, eff June 26, 2009; State Register Volume 46, Issue No. 04, eff. 4/22/2022.