901:11-2-13. Milkhouse or milkroom

(A) A milkhouse or milkroom shall be provided for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling, and storing the utensils and equipment. Other products shall not be handled or other activities performed in the milkroom which would be likely to contaminate milk or otherwise create a public health hazard.

(B) The milkhouse or milkroom that is a part of the barn or other building shall be partitioned and sealed to prevent the entrance of dust, flies, or other contamination. The floor of the milkhouse or milkroom shall be of concrete or other impervious material and graded to drain so that there are no pools of standing water. The walls and ceilings shall be constructed of smooth easily cleaned material. All newly constructed milkhouses shall have walls and ceilings constructed of smooth material kept in good repair and well painted with a light-colored washable paint or finished in an equally suitable manner. All outside doors shall open outward and be self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting, self-closing, screen doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent the entrance of flies or insects. A direct opening between the milkhouse or milkroom and the milking barn, stable, or parlor is permitted when the opening has a tight fitting, self-closing, solid door. The milkhouse or milkroom shall have sufficient air space and air circulation to prevent condensate and excessive odors. It shall be provided with natural or artificial light well distributed for day or night milkhouse activities.

(C) The milkhouse or milkroom shall be equipped with a two-compartment wash vat, utensil rack, milk cooling facilities and have an adequate supply of hot water available for cleaning milking equipment. If a farm bulk milk tank is used, it shall be situated in the milkhouse or milkroom to allow access to all areas of the milkhouse or milkroom and to the exterior of the bulk milk tank for cleaning and servicing. The farm bulk milk tank shall not be located over a floor drain or under a ventilator.

(D) The truck approach to the milkhouse or milkroom shall be properly graded and surfaced to prevent mud or pooling of water at point of loading. The transferring of milk from a farm bulk milk tank to a transport tank is through a hose port located in the milkhouse wall. The port shall be fitted with a tight door which shall be in good repair. It shall be kept closed when the port is not in use. An easily cleanable surface shall be constructed under the hose port, adjacent to the outside wall, and sufficiently large to protect the milk hose from contamination.

(E) The milkhouse or milkroom shall be kept clean and free of trash. Animals and fowl shall not be allowed access to the milkhouse or milkroom at any time.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/24/2017 and 10/24/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 917.02
Rule Amplifies: 917.02
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: 917.02
Prior Effective Dates: 06/18/01, 06/06/05, 9/19/07)