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New Mexico Department of Agriculture The letters NMDA with the D internaly shapped as the state of New Mexico. Logo

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Dairy Inspections


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Dairy Facilities

As part of the NMDA Agricultural Production Services Division, the Dairy Bureau inspects dairy farms, dairy plants, bulk milk haulers and transport tankers. Inspections are measured against the frequency and standards of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This model ordinance is written and maintained by the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments and is overseen by the Food and Drug Administration Milk Safety Team.

Samples

The NMDA Dairy Bureau collects samples of raw milk and pasteurized products from each dairy farm and dairy processing plant on a monthly basis. These products are analyzed for standard plate count, somatic cell count, freezing point, beta-lactams, residual phosphatase and total coliforms.

Water

Recirculated cooling water from both dairy farms and dairy plants and well water that is used to clean milk contact surfaces, is tested for total coliforms to ensure that water will not contaminate milk-contact surfaces.

Milk Tankers

Milk tankers are inspected to ensure that they are constructed to the requirements of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and to ensure they are cleaned and sanitized a minimum of every 72 hours.

Bulk Haulers

Protecting milk during transportation from farms to processing plants is vital. Therefore, NMDA staff educates haulers/samplers through a “Milk Hauler” course in the field. This course covers proper sanitation, sampling of milk, and sealing the milk tanker. After the drivers have completed the course and passed a written examination, they are issued a milk hauler permit card displaying their photograph and identification. This means processing plants can easily identify credentialed haulers when delivering loads of milk.

Dairy Act Activities

The NMDA Standards and Consumer Services Division oversees the open-dating requirement of dairy products in the marketplace.

 

Dustin Cox, Division Director
ddaps@nmda.nmsu.edu
505-383-9299