§ 59.773. Operations and operating procedures.

 (a)  Cheese from pasteurized milk.

   (1)  If the cheese is labeled as pasteurized, the milk shall be pasteurized by subjecting every particle of milk to a minimum temperature of 161 F for not less than 15 seconds, or equivalent pasteurization process approved by the Secretary.

   (2)  HTST pasteurization units shall be equipped with the proper controls and equipment to assure pasteurization. If the milk is held more than 2 hours between time of receipt or heat treatment and setting, it shall be cooled to 45°F or lower until time of setting.

 (b)  Cheese from unpasteurized milk. If the cheese is labeled as ‘‘heat treated,’’ ‘‘unpasteurized,’’ ‘‘raw milk,’’ or ‘‘for manufacturing,’’ the milk may be raw or heated at temperature below pasteurization. If the milk is held more than 2 hours between time of receipt or heat treatment and setting, it shall be cooled to 45°F or lower until time of setting.

 (c)  Whey disposal. Disposal shall be as follows:

   (1)  Adequate sanitary facilities shall be provided for the disposal of whey. If outside, necessary precautions shall be taken to minimize flies, insects, and development of objectionable odors.

   (2)  Whey or whey products intended for human food shall at all times be handled in a sanitary manner under this subpart as specified for handling milk and dairy products.

 (d)  Packaging and repackaging. Packaging rindless cheese or cutting and repackaging all styles of bulk cheese shall be conducted under rigid sanitary conditions. The atmosphere of the packaging rooms, the equipment and the packaging material shall be practically free from mold and bacterial contamination.

 (e)  General identification. Each bulk cheese shall be legibly marked with the name of the product, code or date of manufacture, vat number, officially designated code number or name and address of manufacturer. Each consumer sized container shall be plainly marked with the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, net weight of the contents, name of the product and other information that may be required.