b. Bulk Milk Containers. Two types of containers are used to hold bulk milk:
single-service containers and multiple-service containers. Either type may be used for
shipping or dispensing bulk milk. The common sizes of these containers are 3, 5, 6,
and 7 gallons.
(1) Single-service shipping container. This is a container made from
paperboard, plastic, or other material used to enclose a single-service dispenser
container. It is so constructed that its reuse is precluded. It is discarded after use.
(2) Single-service dispenser container (plastic bag). This is a primary
container fabricated from a plastic material (normally a heavy duty plastic bag) which is
approved as a milk-contact surface by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The single-service dispenser container is enclosed in or is an integral part of either a
single-service or a multiple-service shipping container.
(3) Multiple-service shipping container. This is a container made from dairy
metal or other material approved by the FDA as a milk-contact surface that is used to
enclose a single-service dispenser. The container can be reused after thorough
cleaning.
(4) Multiple-service dispenser container. This is a container made from dairy
metal or multiple-use plastic materials which is suitable for reuse after it has been
thoroughly cleaned and sanitized by an approved bactericidal process. A
multiple-service dispensing container usually is its own shipping container.
(5) Single-service delivery tube. Dispenser containers are equipped with
single-service delivery tubes. These are tubes or pipes of rubber, plastic, or plastic-type
material used to dispense milk or milk products from any dispenser container in a
sanitary manner. Its surfaces are of material approved by the FDA.
1-25. TESTING MILK PRODUCTS
The following are brief descriptions of some of the tests performed to determine
wholesomeness and quality of milk and milk products. All these tests are not performed
routinely and they do not apply to all products. Inspectors should be guided by the
requirements of the applicable specification.
a. Tests For Wholesomeness.
(1) Standard plate count (SPC). The standard plate count test is a
bacteriological method of estimating the number of bacteria in milk. The SPC provides
information on the approximate total number of bacteria in milk. In this method, a small,
known volume of milk is diluted with a known volume of sterilized water and mixed in a
petri dish with nutrient agar (a jelly-like medium with nutrient material that favors the
growth of bacteria). This media is placed in an incubator for 48 hours (3 hours) at a
temperature of 90F (32C), plus or minus 1 (for either F or C).
MD0715
1-21
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