Sec. 3.24. Pasteurization—Item 16p

(a) Pasteurization shall be performed as defined in section 3.2(k) of this Part.

(b) Every particle of milk, milk products or whey shall be heated to at least 161°F (72°C) and held continuously at or above this temperature for at least 15 seconds in equipment which is properly operated and approved by the regulatory agency; provided, that milk products which have a higher milk fat content than milk or contain added sweeteners, and condensed milk and condensed milk products, shall be heated to at least 166°F (75°C) and held continuously at or above this temperature for at least 15 seconds; provided further, that nothing shall be construed as barring any other pasteurization process which has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration to be equally efficient and which is approved by the regulatory agency.

(c) All milk products and whey shall be pasteurized prior to entrance of that product into the evaporator or condensing equipment. Pasteurization shall be performed in the plant where the evaporation or condensing is conducted.

(d) All condensed milk transported to a drying plant shall be repasteurized at the plant where it is dried.

(e) If condensed whey contains at least 40 percent total solids and has been partially crystallized by cooling, it may be transported to a separate drying plant for drying without repasteurization, provided that:

(1) the condensed, partially crystallized whey is cooled and maintained at 45°F (7°C) or less;

(2) milk transport tanks used to transport the condensed, partially crystallized whey shall be washed and sanitized immediately prior to filling and shall be sealed immediately after filling until unloading; and

(3) separate unloading pumps and pipelines shall be provided and used only for the unloading of the condensed, partially crystallized whey. Such pumps and pipelines shall be cleaned and sanitized as a separate cleaning circuit.

(f) The design and the operation of all pasteurization equipment shall comply with the applicable specifications and operational procedures of sections 3.25-3.27 of this Part.