STANDARDS FOR GRADE "A" RAW MILK FOR PASTEURIZATION, ULTRA-PASTEURIZATION, ASEPTIC PROCESSING AND PACKAGING OR RETORT PROCESSED AFTER PACKAGING

ITEM 1r. ABNORMAL MILK

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. Lactating animals producing contaminated milk, that is, lactating animals which have been treated with, have consumed chemical, medicinal or radioactive agents, which are capable of being secreted in the milk and which, in the judgment of the Regulatory Agency, may be deleterious to human health, shall be milked last or with separate equipment and the milk disposed of as the Regulatory Agency may direct. (For applicability to Automatic Milking Installations (AMIs), refer to Appendix Q. of this Ordinance.)

PUBLIC HEALTH REASON

The health of lactating animals is a very important consideration because a number of diseases of lactating animals, including salmonellosis, staphylococcal infection and streptococcal infection, may be transmitted to man through the medium of milk. The organisms of most of these diseases may get into the milk either directly from the udder or indirectly through infected body discharges which may drop, splash or be blown into the milk.

Bovine mastitis is an inflammatory and, generally, highly communicable disease of the bovine udder. Usually, the inciting organism is a streptococcus of bovine origin (type B), but a staphylococcus or other infectious agent often causes the disease. Occasionally lactating animal's udders become infected with hemolytic streptococci of human origin, which may result in milkborne epidemics of scarlet fever or septic sore throat. The toxins of staphylococci and possibly other organisms in milk may cause severe gastroenteritis. Some of these toxins are not destroyed by pasteurization.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

This Item is deemed to be satisfied when:

1. Milk from lactating animals being treated with medicinal agents, which are capable of being secreted in the milk, is not offered for sale for such a period as is recommended by the attending veterinarian or as indicated on the package label of the medicinal agent.
2. Milk from lactating animals treated with or exposed to insecticides, not approved for use on dairy animals by the EPA, is not offered for sale.
3. The Regulatory Agency requires such additional tests for the detection of milk with abnormalities, as they deem necessary.
4. Bloody, stringy, off-colored milk, or milk that is abnormal to sight or odor, is so handled and disposed of as to preclude the infection of other lactating animals and the contamination of milk utensils.
5. Lactating animals secreting milk with abnormalities are milked last or in separate equipment, which effectively prevents the contamination of the wholesome supply. Milking equipment used