Rule 40-2-16-.14 - Utensils and Equipment - Construction(1)Utensils and Equipment, Characteristics. All multi-use containers, utensils and equipment, which are exposed to milk or milk products, or from which liquids may drip, drain or be drawn into milk or milk products, must be made of smooth impervious, nonabsorbent, safe materials of the following types: (a) Stainless steel of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 300 series; or(b) Equally corrosion-resistant, non-toxic metal; or(c) Heat-resistant glass; or(d) Plastic or rubber and rubber-like materials which:1. Are relatively inert and resistant to scratching, scoring, decomposition, crazing, chipping, and distortion under normal use conditions;2. Are non-toxic, fat resistant, relatively nonabsorbent, and relatively insoluble;3. Do not release component chemicals or impart flavor or odor to the product; and4. Maintain their original properties under repeated use conditions.(2)Single-Service Articles. Single-service articles must have been manufactured, packaged, transported and handled in a sanitary manner.(3)Reuse Prohibited. Articles intended for single-service use must not be reused.(4)Breaks and Corrosion. All containers, utensils and equipment must be free of breaks and corrosion.(5)Joints. All joints in such containers, utensils and equipment must be smooth and free from pits, cracks or inclusions.(6)CIP, Characteristics.(a) CIP cleaned milk pipelines and return-solution lines must be self-draining.(b) If gaskets are used, they must be: 2. Made of material meeting the specifications described in subparagraph (1)(d) above; and3. Of such design, finish and application as to form a smooth, flush, interior surface.(c) If gaskets are not used, all fittings must have self-positioning faces designed to form a smooth, flush, interior surface.(d) All interior surfaces of welded joints in pipelines must be smooth and free of pits, cracks and inclusions.(7)CIP, Approval Required.(a) Detailed plans for CIP cleaned pipeline systems must be submitted to the Department for written approval prior to installation.(b) No alteration or addition can be made to any milk pipeline system without prior written approval of the Department.(8)Strainers, Characteristics. Strainers, if used, must be: (a) Of perforated metal design, or(b) Constructed as to utilize single-service strainer media.(9)Disassembly for Inspection.(a) All milking machines, including heads, milk claws, milk tubing and other milk-contact surfaces must be easily cleaned and inspected.(b) Pipelines, milking equipment and appurtenances, which require a screwdriver or special tool, are considered easily accessible for inspection, provided the necessary tools are available at the milkhouse.(c) Milking systems must not have components incorporated in the return solution lines, which by design do not comply with the criteria for product-contact surfaces. Some examples of these are: 1. Ball type plastic valves;2. Plastic tees with barbed ridges to better grip the plastic or rubber hoses; and3. The use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water type piping for return solution lines.(10)Milk Can Lids. Milk cans must have umbrella-type lids.(11)Welded Sanitary Piping. Farm holding/cooling tanks, welded sanitary piping, and transportation tanks must comply with the applicable requirements of 40-2-16-.15 and 40-2-16-.16.(12)Hoses, Characteristics.(a) 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.(b) Such hoses must: 2. Be as short as practical,3. Have sanitary fittings, and4. Be supported to maintain uniform slope and alignment.(c) The end fittings of such hoses must be permanently attached in such a manner that will assure a crevice-free joint between the hose and the fitting, which can be cleaned by mechanical means.(d) The hoses shall be included as part of a CIP cleaning system.(13)Flexible Plastic Tubing.(a) Transparent flexible plastic tubing (up to 150 feet in length) used in connection with milk transfer stations shall be considered acceptable if it remains sufficiently clear that the interior surfaces can be properly inspected.(b) Short lengths of flexible plastic tubing (8 feet or less) may be inspected for cleanliness by sight or by use of a "rod".(c)The transparency or opacity of such tubing under this condition is not a factor in determining cleanliness.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 40-2-16-.14
O.C.G.A. § 26-2-450, et seq.
Original Rule entitled "Utensils and Equipment - Construction" adopted. F. June 9, 2023; eff. July 1, 2023, as specified by the Agency.