Purpose


The proposed rule will adopt the most recent versions of regulatory documents governing dairies, including the 2023 Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), and the associated guidance documents, Procedures Governing the Cooperative State-Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration Program of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, Methods of Making Sanitation Ratings of Milk Shippers and the Certifications/Listings of Single-Service Containers and/or Closures for Milk and/or Milk Products Manufacturers, and Evaluation of Milk Laboratories. Currently, the 2017 versions of these four documents are adopted by rule. Adoption of the current regulatory documents is needed to ensure compliance with Federal standards as required by the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments and to ensure Florida is included on the Interstate Milk Shippers List which is maintained by the Food and Drug Administration. Section 502.014, Florida Statutes, also requires the Department adopt rules implementing chapter 502, Florida Statutes, that are “guided by and may conform to the definitions and standards of the administrative procedures and provisions of the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance and other applicable federal requirements.”