ATCP 65.28(5)(c)(c) Instruments and controls used for measuring, regulating, and recording temperature, pH, acidity, water activity, or other conditions that control or prevent the growth of undesirable microorganisms in milk or dairy products shall be accurate, fully functional, and adequate for their intended use.

ATCP 65.28(6)(6) Lubrication. Equipment shall be designed and constructed so that gear and bearing lubricants do not come in contact with milk or dairy products, ingredients, or product contact surfaces. Food grade lubricants shall be used if there is any chance that lubricants may come in contact with milk or dairy products, ingredients or product contact surfaces.

ATCP 65.28(7)(a)(a) A dairy plant operator shall clean and sanitize product contact surfaces of equipment and utensils to keep them at all times in sanitary condition. Sanitizing methods shall comply with s. ATCP 65.34.

ATCP 65.28(7)(b)(b) Except as provided in pars. (c) to (f), a dairy plant operator shall at a minimum clean all product contact surfaces of equipment and utensils after each day’s use, sanitize those surfaces before each day’s use, and clean and sanitize those surfaces before any change in use that may cross-contaminate dairy products with major food allergens, as defined in s. ATCP 70.02 (29), or other contaminants.

ATCP 65.28(7)(c)(c) A dairy plant operator shall clean and sanitize tanks used to store liquid dairy products whenever the dairy plant operator empties those tanks. Tanks used to store raw milk or grade A dairy products shall be emptied at least once every 72 hours.

ATCP 65.28(7)(d)(d) A dairy plant operator shall clean evaporators at the end of a continuous operation, not to exceed 44 hours.

ATCP 65.28(7)(e)(e) Paragraph (b) does not apply to any of the following equipment, provided that the dairy plant operator cleans and sanitizes the equipment according to manufacturer specifications or a cleaning and sanitizing process approved under par. (f), and complying with par. (a):

ATCP 65.28(7)(e)5.5. Reverse osmosis equipment that utilizes a permeate stream from a previously pasteurized product that has passed through a nanofiltration system achieving an efficiency of not more than 1,000 daltons.

ATCP 65.28(7)(e)7.7. Food contact surfaces located downstream from the sterilization step in an aseptic processing and packaging system, provided that system sterility is maintained. If system sterility is not maintained, the surfaces shall be cleaned, sanitized, and sterilized before processing.

ATCP 65.28(7)(f)(f) The division may authorize an alternative cleaning and sanitizing schedule for continuously-operated equipment, in lieu of the schedule under par. (b), based on a proposal under par. (g). The division’s authorization of a proposal for cleaning and sanitizing of equipment in contact with grade A dairy products is contingent upon consultation with, and acceptance of the proposal by, the US food and drug administration, and shall be valid for 5 years. The division’s authorization may be renewed after a review requested in writing by the dairy plant operator. A dairy plant operator shall adhere to the practices described in an approved proposal. A dairy plant operator may not alter practices described in an approved proposal without division approval. Division approval of a proposed changes for cleaning and sanitizing of equipment in contact with grade A dairy products is contingent upon consultation with, and acceptance of the changes by, the US food and drug administration, and shall be valid for 5 years.

ATCP 65.28(7)(g)(g) A dairy plant operator’s proposal, under par. (f), shall include all of the following:

ATCP 65.28(7)(g)2.2. A complete description of the processing, handling, or storage operations for which the continuously-operated equipment is used. The description shall identify the types of dairy products involved, and the type and duration of continuous operations conducted.

ATCP 65.28(7)(g)3.3. A complete description of the cleaning and sanitizing procedure proposed by the dairy plant operator. The description shall include cleaning and sanitizing frequency, cleaning and sanitizing methods and materials, and other relevant process parameters such as time, temperature, and concentration. The description shall include relevant process diagrams and specifications.

ATCP 65.28(7)(g)4.4. A certification, by the dairy plant operator, that the proposed cleaning and sanitizing procedure complies with par. (a). The certification shall be based on a thorough hazard analysis and safety assessment by qualified personnel.

ATCP 65.28(7)(h)(h) A dairy plant operator shall keep records to document, on an ongoing basis, the operator’s compliance with this subsection.

ATCP 65.28(8)(8) Storing clean equipment and utensils. Clean equipment and utensils, unless stored in an approved sanitizing solution, shall be stored so that they drain dry. Utensils and equipment components disassembled for cleaning shall be stored above the floor in metal racks or other storage facilities which allow drainage. Clean equipment and utensils shall be protected from contamination prior to use.

ATCP 65.28(9)(9) Single-service utensils. Single-service utensils shall be stored in the original containers in which they were received, or in other closed containers that will protect them from contamination until they are used. Single-service utensils shall not be reused.

ATCP 65.28(10)(10) Cleaning compounds, detergents, and sanitizers; storage and labeling. Cleaning compounds, detergents, and sanitizers used in a dairy plant shall be clearly labeled. When they are not being used, they shall be stored in designated areas and in an appropriate manner so that they do not contaminate dairy products, ingredients, equipment, or utensils.

ATCP 65.28 HistoryHistory: CR 14-073: cr. Register August 2016 No. 728, eff. 9-1-16; correction in (7) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2016 No. 728; correction in (7) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769.