§ 59.217. Cooling of milk.

 (a)  All raw milk and milk products be maintained at 45°F (7°C) or less until processed.

 (b)  All pasteurized milk and milk products except those to be cultured shall be cooled immediately in approved equipment prior to filling and packaging to a temperature of 45°F (7°C) or less. All pasteurized milk and milk products shall be stored at a temperature of 45°F (7°C) or less.

 (c)  Each refrigerator room in which milk or milk products are stored shall be equipped with an indicating thermometer. Such thermometer shall be located in the warmest zone of the refrigerator room. Each storage tank shall be equipped with an indicating thermometer, the sensor of which shall be located to permit the registering of the temperature of the contents when the tank contains no more than 20% of its calibrated capacity. Such thermometers shall comply with the applicable specifications of Appendix H of the PMO.

 (d)  All surface coolers comply with the following specifications:

   (1)  The sections of open-surface coolers shall be so installed as to leave a gap of at least 0.25 inches between the header sections to permit easy cleaning.

   (2)  Where header ends are not completely enclosed within the cooler covers, condensation or leakage from the headers shall be prevented from entering the milk or milk products by so shaping the exposed header faces, above and below all gaps, that condensation is directed away from the tubes and by using deflectors at the bottom of the headers, by shortening the bottom trough, or by some other approved method.

   (3)  The location of supports of cooler sections shall prevent drip from entering the milk or milk products.

   (4)  All open-surface coolers shall be provided with tight-fitting shields which protect the milk and milk products from contamination by flies, dust, drip, splash, or manual contact.

 (e)  Recirculated cold water which is used in coolers and exchangers, including those systems in which a freezing point depressant is used, shall be from a safe source and shall be protected from contamination. Such water shall be tested semiannually and shall comply with the bacteriological standards as cited in §  59.207 (relating to water supply). Recirculated water systems which become contaminated through repair work or otherwise shall be properly treated and tested before being returned to use. Freezing point depressants, when used in recirculating systems, shall be nontoxic.

   This section cited in 7 Pa. Code §  59.251 (relating to receiving station requirements); and 7 Pa. Code §  59.704 (relating to equipment and utensils).