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, are made of smooth impervious, nonabsorbent, safe materials of the following types:

Stainless steel of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 300 series; or

Equally corrosion-resistant, non-toxic metal; or

Heat-resistant glass; or

Plastic or rubber and rubber-like materials which are relatively inert, resistant to scratching, scoring, decomposition, crazing, chipping and distortion, under normal use conditions; are non-toxic, fat resistant, relatively nonabsorbent, relatively insoluble; do not re-lease component chemicals or impart flavor or odor to the product; and which maintain their original properties under repeated use conditions.

Single-service articles have been manufactured, packaged, transported and handled in a sanitary manner and comply with the applicable requirements of Item 11p.

Articles intended for single-service use are not reused.

All containers, utensils and equipment are free of breaks and corrosion.

All joints in such containers, utensils and equipment are smooth and free from pits, cracks or inclusions.

CIP cleaned milk pipelines and return-solution lines are self-draining. If gaskets are used, they shall be self-positioning and of material meeting specifications described in 1.d. above, and shall be of such design, finish and application as to form a smooth, flush, interior surface. If gaskets are not used, all fittings shall have self-positioning faces designed to form a smooth, flush, interior surface. All interior surfaces of welded joints in pipelines shall be smooth and free of pits, cracks and inclusions.

Detailed plans for CIP cleaned pipeline systems are submitted to the Regulatory Agency for written approval prior to installation. No alteration or addition shall be made to any milk pipeline system without prior written approval of the Regulatory Agency.

Strainers, if used, are of perforated metal design, or so constructed as to utilize single-service strainer media.

All milking machines, including heads, milk claws, milk tubing and other milk-contact surfaces can be easily cleaned and inspected. Pipelines, milking equipment and appurtenances, which require a screwdriver or special tool, shall be considered easily accessible for inspection, providing the necessary tools are available at the milkhouse. Milking systems shall 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:

Ball type plastic valves;

Plastic tees with barbed ridges to better grip the plastic or rubber hoses; and

The use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) water type piping for return solution lines.

Milk cans have umbrella-type lids.

Farm holding/cooling tanks, welded sanitary piping and transportation tanks comply with the applicable requirements of Items 10p and 11p of this Section.

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. Such hoses shall be drainable, be as short as practical, have sanitary fittings, and be supported to maintain uniform slope and alignment. The end fittings of such hoses shall 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. The hoses shall be included as part of a CIP cleaning system.

Transparent flexible plastic tubing (up to 150 feet in length) used in connection with milk transfer stations shall be considered acceptable if it meets the “3-A Sanitary Standards for