Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 49, December 7, 2024
Section 59a.205 - Milkhouse or milkroom(a)General requirements. A milkhouse or milkroom shall be provided for handling and cooling milk and for washing, handling and storing the utensils and equipment. The milkhouse or milkroom must be conveniently located and properly constructed, lighted and ventilated. Other products may not be handled in the milkroom which would be likely to contaminate milk, or otherwise create a public health hazard.(b)Equipment and construction. The milkroom must be equipped with a wash and rinse vat, utensil rack, milk cooling facilities and an adequate supply of hot water available for cleaning milking equipment. If a part of the barn or other building, it must be partitioned, screened and sealed to prevent the entrance of dust, flies or other contamination. The floor of the building must be of concrete or other impervious material and graded to provide proper drainage. The walls and ceilings must be constructed of smooth easily cleaned material. Outside doors must open outward and be self-closing, unless they are provided with tight-fitting screen doors that open outward or unless other effective means are provided to prevent the entrance of flies.(c)Farm bulk tanks. If a farm bulk tank is used, the following requirements apply: (1) The farm bulk tank shall be properly located in the milkhouse or milkroom for access to all areas for cleaning and servicing. It may not be located over a floor drain or under a ventilator.(2) A small platform or slab constructed of concrete or other impervious material shall be provided outside the milkhouse, properly centered under a suitable port opening in the wall of the milkhouse. The opening shall be fitted with a tight, self-closing door. The truck approach to the milkhouse or milkroom must be properly graded and surfaced to prevent mud or pooling of water at the point of loading.(d)Trash, animals and fowl. The milkhouse or milkroom and appurtenances shall be kept clean and free of trash, animals and fowl.(e)Farm chemicals and animal drugs.(1) Animal biologics and other drugs intended for treatment of animals, and insecticides approved for use in dairy operations, must be clearly labeled and used in accordance with label instructions, and stored in a manner which will prevent accidental contact with milk and milk contact surfaces.(2) Only drugs that are approved by the FDA or biologics approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in dairy animals that are properly labeled according to FDA or USDA regulations shall be administered to the animals.(3) When drug storage is located in the milkroom, milkhouse or milking area, the drugs shall be stored in a closed, tight-fitting storage unit. The drugs shall further be segregated so that drugs labeled for use in lactating dairy animals are separated from drugs labeled for use in nonlactating dairy animals.(4) Drugs labeled for use in nondairy animals may not be stored with drugs labeled for use in dairy animals. When drugs labeled for use in nondairy animals are stored in the barn, the drugs shall be located in an area of the barn separate from the milking area.(5) Herbicides, fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides that are not approved for use in dairy operations may not be stored in the milkhouse, milkroom or milking area.