Hawaii Administrative Rules
Title 11 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Subtitle 1 - GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 15 - MILK
Section 11-15-44 - Sanitation requirements for Grade "A" pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized and aseptically processed milk and milk products
Current through February, 2024
(a) A receiving station shall comply with subsections (c) to (g), (s), (v) and (x), except that the partitioning requirement of subsection (g) shall not apply.
(b) A transfer station shall comply with subsections (c), (f), (h) through (p), (v) and (x); and, as climatic and operating conditions require, the applicable provisions of subsections (d) and (e); provided that in every case, overhead protection shall be provided. Facilities for the cleaning and sanitizing of bulk transport tanks shall comply with subsections (c), (d), (h) through (q), (v) and (x); and as climatic and operating conditions require, the applicable provisions of subsections (d) and (e); provided that in every case, overhead protection shall be provided.
(c) The floors of all rooms in which milk or milk products are processed, handled, or stored, or in which milk containers, equipment, and utensils are washed, shall be constructed of concrete or other equally impervious and easily cleaned material; and shall be smooth, properly sloped, provided with trapped drains, and kept in good repair; provided that cold-storage rooms used for storing milk and milk products need not be provided with floor drains when the floors are sloped to drain to one or more exits; provided further that storage rooms for storing dry ingredients or packaging materials need not be provided with drains; and the floors may be constructed of tightly-joined wood.
(d) Walls and ceilings of rooms in which milk or milk products are handled, processed, or stored, or in which milk containers, utensils, and equipment are washed, shall have a smooth, washable, light-colored surface, and in good repair.
(e) Effective means shall be provided to prevent the access of insects, rodents and other vermin. All openings to the outside shall have solid doors or glazed windows which shall be closed during dusty weather.
(f) All rooms in which milk and milk products are handled, processed, or stored or in which milk containers, equipment, and utensils are washed shall be well lighted and well ventilated.
(g) There shall be separate rooms for:
Rooms in which milk or milk products are handled, processed, or stored, or in which milk containers, utensils, and equipment are washed or stored, shall not open directly into any stable or any room used for domestic purposes. All rooms shall be of sufficient size for their intended purposes.
(h) Every milk plant shall be provided with toilet facilities conforming with the regulations of the department. Toilet rooms shall not open directly into any room in which milk or milk products are processed. Toilet enclosed and shall have tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Dressing rooms, toilet rooms, and fixtures shall be kept clean, in good repair, and shall be well ventilated and well lighted. Sewage and other liquid wastes shall be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
(i) Potable water for milk plant purposes shall be from an approved supply properly located, protected, and operated, and shall be easily accessible, adequate, and of a safe, sanitary quality.
(j) Convenient hand-washing facilities shall be provided, including hot and cold or warm running potable water, dispensed through a mixing valve and faucet, soap, and individual sanitary towels or other approved hand-drying devices. Hand-washing facilities shall be kept clean and in good repair.
(k) All rooms in which milk and milk products are handled, processed, or stored, or in which containers, utensils, or equipment are washed or stored, shall be kept clean, neat, and free of evidence of insects, rodents and other vermin. Only equipment directly related to processing operations or to handling of containers, utensils, and equipment shall be permitted in the pasteurizing, processing, cooling, packaging, and bulk milk storage rooms.
(l) All sanitary piping, fittings, and connections which are exposed to milk and milk products, or from which liquids may drip, drain, or be drawn into milk or milk products, shall consist of smooth, impervious, corrosion-resistant, easily cleanable material. All piping shall be in good repair. Pasteurized milk and milk products shall be conducted from one piece of equipment to another only-through sanitary piping.
(m) All multiuse containers and equipment with which milk or milk products come into contact shall be of smooth, impervious, corrosion-resistant, non-toxic material; shall be constructed for ease of cleaning; and shall be kept in good repair. All single-service containers, closures, gaskets, and other articles with which milk or milk products come in contact shall be non-toxic, and shall have been manufactured, packaged, transported, and handled in a sanitary manner. Articles intended for single-service use shall not be reused.
(n) The product-contact surfaces of all multiuse containers, utensils, and equipment used in the transportation, processing, handling, and storage of milk and milk products shall be effectively cleaned and sanitized before each use. The piping, equipment and containers used to process, conduct or package aseptically processed milk and milk products beyond the final heat treatment process shall be cleaned and sterilized before any aseptically processed milk or milk product is packaged and shall be resterilized whenever any unsterile product has contaminated it. The term sterilized when applied to piping, equipment and containers used for milk and milk products shall mean the condition achieved by application of heat, chemical sterilant(s) or other appropriate treatment that renders the piping, equipment and containers free of viable microorganisms.
(o) After cleaning, all multiuse milk or milk product containers, utensils, and equipment shall be transported and stored to assure complete drainage, and shall be protected from contamination before use.
(p) Single-service caps, cap stock, parchment paper, containers, gaskets, and other single-service articles for use in contact with milk and milk products shall be purchased and stored in sanitary tubes, wrappings, or cartons; shall be kept therein in a clean, dry place until used; and shall be handled in a sanitary manner.
(q) Milk plant operations, equipment, and facilities shall be located and conducted to prevent any contamination of milk or milk products, ingredients, equipment, containers, and utensils. All milk or milk products or ingredients which have been spilled, overflowed, or leaked shall be discarded. The processing or handling of products other than milk and milk products in the pasteurization plant shall be performed to preclude the contamination of the milk and milk products. The storage, handling, and use of poisonous or toxic materials shall be performed to preclude the contamination of milk and milk products or the product-contact surfaces of all equipment, containers, and utensils.
(r) Pasteurization or ultra-pasteurization shall be performed as defined in section 11-15-2. Aseptic processing shall be performed in accordance with 21 CFR Part 113 and the administrative procedures of item 16p(C), 16p(D), and 16p(E) of the ordinance.
(s) All raw milk and milk products shall be maintained at 45°F(7°C) or less until processed. All pasteurized milk and milk products, except those to be cultured, shall be cooled immediately prior to filling or packaging in approved equipment to a temperature of 45°F(7°C) or less. On delivery vehicles, the temperature 50°F(10°C). Every room or tank in which milk or milk products are stored shall be equipped with an accurate thermometer. Aseptically processed milk and milk products to be packaged in hermetically sealed containers shall be exempt from the cooling requirements of this item.
(t) Bottling and packaging of milk and milk products shall be done at the place of pasteurization in approved mechanical equipment.
(u) Capping or closing of milk and milk product containers shall be done in a sanitary manner by approved mechanical capping or closing equipment. The cap or closure shall be designed and applied in such a manner that the pouring lip is protected to at least its largest diameter and, with regard to fluid product containers, removal cannot be made without detection.
(v) Hands shall be thoroughly washed before commencing plant functions and as often as may be required to remove soil and contamination. No employee shall resume work after visiting the toilet room without thoroughly washing his hands. All persons engaged in the processing, pasteurization, handling, storage, or transportation of milk, milk products, containers, equipment, and utensils shall wear clean outer garments. All persons, while engaged in the processing of milk or milk products, shall wear adequate hair coverings and shall not use tobacco.
(w) All vehicles used for transportation of pasteurized milk and milk products shall be constructed and operated so that the milk and milk products are maintained at 45°F(7°C) or less, and are protected from sun, freezing, and from contamination. However, while actively engaged in the delivery of the milk and milk products where the air temperature inside the vehicle may rise, a product temperature rise to 50°F is allowed for the short period of time during delivery.
(x) Milk plant surroundings shall be kept neat, clean, and free from conditions which might attract or harbor flies, other insects, rodents and other vermin, or which otherwise constitute a nuisance.
