Section 21.68.18. Testing and exclusion of Class III milk.

       68.18(1) If a producer desires to change to another plant or factory, it is required that the first shipment of milk be accompanied by a written quality release form from the former purchaser. This quality release form must be requested by the producer in person or in writing from the manager of the plant previously purchasing the milk. (Plant being asked for quality release shall give it to person with written order or deliver to producer making the request.) The new buyer shall not accept the first delivery until receiving a copy of the record of the producer’s milk quality covering the preceding 90 days.

       68.18(2) If the quality release form of this producer shows that the last test for bacterial quality indicated Class III milk, the new purchaser must then test first shipment of the transferring producer’s milk by:

        a.           Organoleptic grading (physical appearance, taste and smell).

        b.           Sediment or extraneous matter.

        c.           An estimate of bacterial quality must be run within seven days from the last test date entered on the transfer form.

       68.18(3) In other words, the previous record of bacterial quality is transferred. For example, if a producer has had two consecutive Class III bacterial estimates at one plant and then decides to sell the milk to another plant, the producer may not start as a new producer without previous history. This rule requires that the milk be tested for four consecutive weeks if there is no improvement in the quality of the milk during this period. Upon transferring to a new plant, the next bacterial test is entered on the record as the third of the four required tests.

       68.18(4) If the fourth consecutive test is still Class III, this producer’s milk may not be purchased by any plant for human consumption. The plant refusing this milk is required to notify the area resident inspector of the dairy products control bureau of the Iowa department of agriculture and land stewardship, immediately, in writing.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 194.2.