S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-34.V

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-34.V - The Examination of Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products for Human Consumption

A. Samples of raw milk or raw milk products for human consumption may be taken for analysis for public health purposes, at any reasonable time or place, and examined for any other public health reason by the Department.

B. Samples of raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption shall be collected and tested prior to a permit being issued. No permit shall be issued until the milk and milk products meet the requirements of Section VII and Section VIII.

C. The producer shall provide to the Department satisfactory pathogenic testing results prior to:

1. receiving a permit and beginning production and/or distribution; or

2. reinstatement of a permit that has been suspended because of positive results of testing for pathogenic organisms in association with a suspected outbreak of disease. In testing associated with a suspected outbreak of disease, the Department shall provide up to two (2) tests at no cost to the producer; pathogen testing required beyond these two (2) tests shall be the responsibility of the producer.

D. Samples of raw milk and raw milk products shall be collected by the producer or the Department, as directed, at a frequency that is deemed appropriate by the Department based on the level of risk of the product. The Department will require sampling for bacterial counts, somatic cell counts, coliform, cooling temperatures, drugs, pesticide residue, and/or pathogenic organisms as deemed appropriate by the Department. Sampling will be conducted in accordance with Department standard operating procedures for sampling of raw milk and raw milk products.

E. Whenever two (2) of the last four (4) consecutive bacterial counts, somatic cell counts, coliform determinations, or cooling temperatures, taken on separate days, exceed the standard for the raw milk or raw milk products as defined in this Regulation, the Department shall send written notice thereof to the person concerned. This notice shall be in effect so long as two (2) of the last four (4) consecutive samples exceed the standard. An additional sample shall be taken within twenty-one (21) calendar days of the sending of such notice, but not before the lapse of three (3) calendar days. The Department shall suspend the permit in accordance with Section XII whenever the standard is violated by three (3) of the last five (5) bacterial counts, coliform determinations, cooling temperatures, or somatic cell counts.

F. When sampling for pathogenic organisms is conducted in association with a suspected outbreak of disease, and the samples test positive for pathogenic organisms, such positive finding of pathogenic organisms shall be considered an imminent health hazard, and the product involved shall be disposed of and not be offered for sale. The Department shall immediately suspend the permit. The permit shall remain suspended until a representative sample containing a minimum of two (2) consecutive milkings are found to be free of pathogenic organisms.

G. Samples shall be analyzed at an official or appropriate officially designated laboratory. All sampling procedures and required laboratory examinations shall be in substantial compliance with the latest edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products (SMEDP) of the American Public Health Association, and the latest edition of Official Methods of Analysis (OMA) of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) International. Such procedures, including the certification of sample collectors, and examinations shall be evaluated in accordance with the Evaluation of Milk Laboratories.

H. All violations of bacteria, coliform, somatic cell counts, and cooling temperature standards shall be followed by inspection, if needed, to determine and correct the cause.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-34.V

Amended by State Register Volume 33, Issue No. 6, eff June 26, 2009; State Register Volume 46, Issue No. 04, eff. 4/22/2022.