§ 59.503. Sediment content classification.
Milk in cans and in farm bulk tanks shall be classified for sediment content as follows:
Sediment Content
| Sediment content classification | Milk in cans (off the bottom method, 1-1/8 inch diameter disc) | Milk in farm bulk tanks (mixed sample, 0.40 inch diameter disc or equivalent) |
| No. 1 (acceptable) | Not to exceed 0.50 mg. | Not to exceed 0.50 mg. equivalent |
| No. 2 (acceptable) | Not to exceed 1.50 mg. | Not to exceed 1.50 mg. equivalent |
| No. 3 (probational) | Not to exceed 2.50 mg. | Not to exceed 2.50 mg. equivalent |
| No. 4 (reject) | Over 2.50 mg. | Over 2.50 mg. equivalent |
Sediment content classification is based on comparison with applicable charts of sediment standards prepared by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 7 CFR § § 58.2728—58.2732 (relating to United States sediment standards for milk and milk products).
(1) Method of testing. Methods for determining sediment content of milk shall be those described in the current edition of Standard Methods and the current edition of the Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) or other methods approved by the Secretary. For the testing of milk in cans, the off-the-bottom method shall be used. For testing bulk milk, a mixed 1 pint sample or equivalent shall be tested. Sediment content shall be based on comparison with official USDA sediment standards, 7 CFR 58.2728—58.2732 (relating to United States sediment standards for milk and milk products).
(2) Frequency of tests. At least once each month, at irregular intervals, the milk from each producer shall be tested as follows:
(i) Milk in cans. A sample shall be taken from one or more cans of milk selected at random from each producer.
(ii) Milk in farm bulk tanks. A sample shall be taken from each farm bulk tank.
(3) Acceptance or rejection of milk. If the sediment disc is classified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3, the producer’s milk may be accepted. If the sediment disc is classified as No. 4, the milk shall be rejected. If the shipment of milk is commingled with other milk in a transport tank, the next shipment shall not be accepted until its quality has been determined at the farm before being picked up; however, if the person making the test is unable to get to the farm before the next shipment, it may be accepted but no further shipments shall be accepted unless the milk meets the requirements of No. 3 or better. In the case of milk classified as No. 3 or No. 4, if in cans, all cans shall be tested. Producers of No. 3 or No. 4 milk—cans or bulk—shall be notified immediately and shall be furnished applicable sediment discs, and the next shipment shall be tested.
(4) Retests. On tests of the next shipment (if in cans, all cans shall be tested) milk classified as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3, may be accepted, but No. 4 milk shall be rejected. Retests of bulk milk classified as No. 4 shall be made at the farm before pickup. The producers of No. 3 or No. 4 milk shall be notified immediately, furnished applicable sediment discs and the next shipment shall be tested. This procedure of retesting successive shipments and accepting probational (No. 3) milk and rejecting No. 4 milk may be continued for a period not to exceed 10 calendar days. If at the end of this time all of the producer’s milk does not meet the acceptable sediment content classification (No. 1 or No. 2), it shall be excluded from market.
This section cited in 7 Pa. Code § 59.1 (relating to definitions); 7 Pa. Code § 59.506 (relating to suspended milk for manufacturing); and 7 Pa. Code § 59.507 (relating to inspection and testing of milk).
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