901:11-2-02. Quality requirements

(A) Acceptability of raw milk from each producer shall be based on a visual examination for appearance and odor or by an acceptable test procedure for bacterial count, somatic cell count and drug residue test as specified in rules 901:11-2-03 to 901:11-2-05 of the Administrative Code.

(B) The appearance of acceptable raw milk shall be normal and free of excessive coarse sediment. The milk shall not show any abnormal condition including but not limited to: curdled, ropy, bloody or mastitic. When milk is tested for sediment and it exceeds the following United States department of agriculture standards, it shall be considered as adulterated:

(1) No. 1 acceptable - not to exceed 0.50 mg. or equivalent.

(2) No. 2 acceptable - not to exceed 1.50 mg. or equivalent.

(3) No. 3 probational, not over a ten day period - not to exceed 2.50 mg. or equivalent.

(4) No. 4 reject, considered to be adulterated - over 2.50 mg. or equivalent.

(C) Adulterated milk may be embargoed by the director and disposed of in accordance with division (E) of section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(D) Methods for determining the sediment content of the milk of individual producers shall be those described in the standard methods. Sediment content shall be based on comparison with applicable charts of the United States sediment standards for milk and milk products which are found in Title 7 C.F.R. parts 58-134 (2011).

(E) The odor shall be fresh and sweet. The milk shall be free from objectionable feed and other off-odors that would adversely affect the finished product.

(F) Lactating animals which show evidence of the secretion of abnormal milk in one or more quarters based upon bacteriological, chemical, or physical examination shall be milked last or with separate equipment, and the milk shall be discarded. Lactating animals treated with, or lactating animals which have consumed chemical, medicinal, or radioactive agents which are capable of being secreted in the milk and which in the judgement of the director, may be deleterious to human health, shall be milked last or with separate equipment, and the milk disposed of as the director may direct. In making determinations regarding the impact of radioactive agents on human health, the director may consult with the director of health.

(G) A plant, hauler, weigher or sampler shall reject specific producer raw milk if the milk fails to meet the requirements for appearance and odor or if it tests positive for drug residue.

(H) All reject milk shall be identified either with a reject tag or colored with harmless food coloring.

(I) A plant shall not accept milk from a producer if:

(1) Three of the last five milk samples have exceeded the maximum bacterial count as specified in rule 901:11-2-03 of the Administrative Code;

(2) Three of the last five milk samples have exceeded the maximum somatic cell count as specified in rule 901:11-2-04 of the Administrative Code; or

(3) The producer's last milk sample was positive on a drug residue test as specified in rule 901:11-2-05 of the Administrative Code.

(J) Quality testing of milk from new producers, producers whose license or registration has been suspended, and transfer producers shall meet the requirements in this rule for the items listed in this paragraph. Thereafter, each milk shipment shall meet the requirements of acceptable milk, and shall be tested in accordance with the provisions of rules 901:11-2-03 to 901:11-2-05 of the Administrative Code.

(1) Acceptable raw milk;

(2) Bacterial count;

(3) Somatic cell count; and,

(4) Drug residue level.

(K) Prior to receipt of the first shipment of milk from a producer whose milk shipment is shifted from one plant to another plant, the processor shall make a request to the director for the following information and may receive the producer's milk if:

(1) The producer holds a valid, active license or registration as set forth in rule 901:11-1-04 of the Administrative Code; and

(2) The last shipment of milk received from the producer by the former plant meet the requirements for:

(a) Acceptable milk;

(b) Bacterial count;

(c) Somatic cell count; and

(d) Drug residue level.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/24/2017 and 10/24/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 917.02
Rule Amplifies: 917.05
Prior Effective Dates: 06/18/2001, 06/06/2005, 09/19/2007, 02/21/2016

Prior History: (Effective: 2/21/2016
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 09/17/2017
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 917.02
Rule Amplifies: 917.05
Prior Effective Dates: 06/18/01, 06/06/05, 09/19/07)