SB781: Bill Text

SB781,8 Section 8. 97.26 of the statutes is created to read:

SB781,,21 97.26 Unpasteurized milk and milk products. (1) Definitions. In this section:

SB781,,22 (a) “Dairy farm” has the meaning given in s. 97.24 (1) (a).

SB781,,23 (b) “Dairy product” has the meaning given in s. 97.20 (1) (b).

SB781,,24 (c) “Industry standards” means standards that have been widely adopted in the unpasteurized dairy industry for the production of unpasteurized dairy products for human consumption.

SB781,,25 (d) “Milk producer” has the meaning given in s. 97.24 (1) (f).

SB781,,26 (e) “On-farm processing plant” means a dairy farm that, on farm premises, processes milk produced on the farm into unpasteurized dairy products for sale to consumers.

SB781,,27 (2) Licensing requirements. (a) A milk producer who obtains a license from the department under this section may sell or distribute unpasteurized dairy products through delivery, at retail stores, or directly from a dairy farm and may advertise the sale or distribution of unpasteurized dairy products.

SB781,,28 (b) Before receiving a license under this section, a milk producer shall do all of the following:

SB781,,29 1. Submit an unpasteurized dairy sample per week for 3 consecutive weeks to the department for testing. Each sample shall test negative for salmonella, campylobacter, escherichia coli 0157:H7, and listeria monocytogenes and be in compliance with the coliform and standard plate count standards under sub. (3).

SB781,,30 2. Provide to the department results from tests administered by a licensed veterinarian that cows used to produce unpasteurized dairy products do not have tuberculosis or brucellosis.

SB781,,31 3. Show proof of training on raw milk safety by a 3rd party qualified to provide such training under industry standards or by a 3rd party in collaboration with the department. The training may consist of a 5-hour online course.

SB781,,32 (c) The department shall conduct an on-site inspection at the milk producer’s on-farm processing plant before issuing a license.

SB781,,33 (3) Testing standards; coliform and standard plate count standards. (a) 1. A milk producer licensed under this section that does not perform daily on-farm testing of its unpasteurized milk for coliform and standard plate count shall every other week submit to the department results from testing of its unpasteurized milk by a state certified laboratory for coliform and standard plate counts.

SB781,,34 2. A milk producer licensed under this section that performs daily on-farm testing of its unpasteurized milk for coliform and standard plate count shall every month submit to the department test results of its unpasteurized milk gathered on-farm for coliform and standard plate count. The test result shall include the date the sample was taken and the temperature of the sample at the time of testing.

SB781,,35 3. Test results gathered under subd. 1. or 2. shall show a coliform level below 10 bacteria per milliliter of milk and a standard plate count below 10,000 bacteria per milliliter of milk.

SB781,,36 (b) A milk producer licensed under this section that only produces milk and milk products under this section and does not ship any milk or milk products to any processing plant, as defined in s. 97.20 (1) (h), shall every other week submit to the department test results of its unpasteurized milk for other solids, somatic cell count, milk urea nitrogen, and plate loop count.

SB781,,37 (c) A milk producer licensed under this section shall every 3 months submit to the department test results of its unpasteurized milk for campylobacter, salmonella, escherichia coli 0157:H7, and listeria monocytogenes.

SB781,,38 (d) The department may, after giving 24 hours’ notice, take a sample of unpasteurized milk from the on-farm processing plant of a milk producer licensed under this section and test for campylobacter, salmonella, escherichia coli 0157:H7, and listeria monocytogenes.

SB781,,39 (e) If a test result under sub. (c) or (d) is positive, the milk producer shall do all of the following:

SB781,,40 1. Initiate a recall.

SB781,,41 2. Stop all production and sale of unpasteurized dairy products until the milk tests negative for campylobacter, salmonella, escherichia coli 0157:H7, and listeria monocytogenes.

SB781,,42 (f) All cows used to produce unpasteurized dairy products shall be tested yearly for tuberculosis and brucellosis. Tests shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

SB781,,43 (4) Storage and labeling requirements. (a) All areas, facilities, and equipment on a dairy farm or on-farm processing plant subject to the requirements of this section shall be well maintained and clean.

SB781,,44 (b) All unpasteurized milk shall be chilled to less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour after the completion of milking and must maintain a temperature of less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit until the milk is sold.

SB781,,45 (c) All dairy products subject to the requirements of this section shall be affixed with a label containing the following consumer advisory statement: “This product is not pasteurized and may contain bacteria harmful to those with weakened immune systems.”

SB781,,46 (d) For on-farm and online sales of unpasteurized milk, only a milk producer or other authorized personnel may fill a container from a bulk tank.

SB781,,47 (5) Record keeping and food safety planning. (a) A milk producer subject to the requirements under this section shall do all of the following:

SB781,,48 1. Maintain a record of all testing performed on products for at least one year after the testing has been performed.

SB781,,49 2. Maintain a record of consumer complaints for at least one year after the complaint was made.

SB781,,50 3. Maintain bulk tank records for 3 years. All bulk tanks shall have a chart recorder to establish the record of milk chilling and cleaning processes for the on-farm processing plant.

SB781,,51 (b) A milk producer subject to the requirements under this section shall create and maintain a written food safety plan that identifies the risks associated with operating the on-farm processing plant and a plan for managing those risks. Upon request, the milk producer shall submit a copy of the plan to the department.

SB781,,52 (6) Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules to carry out the requirements of this section. The rules may include standards for the construction, maintenance, and sanitation of on-farm processing plant buildings and equipment. The rules shall be consistent with industry standards.

SB781,9 Section 9. 97.27 (1) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB781,,54 97.27 (1) (b) 4. A warehouse located in a dairy plant licensed under s. 97.20, an on-farm processing plant under s. 97.26, a food processing plant licensed under s. 97.29, or a meat establishment licensed under s. 97.42, and used primarily for the storage of food ingredients or food products manufactured or processed at the licensed establishment.

SB781,,55 (end)