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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 901:11-4 | Ohio Hauler, Weigher, Sampler and Tester Rules

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 901:11-4-01 | Definitions.
 

As used in rules 901:11-4-01 to 901:11-4-13 of the Administrative Code:

(A) "Conveyance" means the tank portion of a bulk milk transport tank truck or in the case of a can truck, the enclosed portion of the truck used to house and transport the producer can milk.

(B) "Department" means the Ohio department of agriculture.

(C) "Director" means the director of agriculture or an official, employee, or contractor of the department of agriculture designated by the director of agriculture.

(D) "License" or "registration" means a license or registration issued by the director as provided in section 917.09 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Weigher, sampler, or tester" means a person who, in order to determine volume, weight, or composition for the purpose of determining price, weighs, samples or tests, either of the following but does not include testers for drug residue analysis:

(1) Milk at a dairy farm; or

(2) Milk or cream purchased by a dealer from a milk producer or co-operative.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:25 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/15/2007
Rule 901:11-4-02 | Licensing.
 

(A) No person located in Ohio shall act as or hold the person's self out as a weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler unless the person holds a valid license or registration issued by the director under section 917.09 of the Revised Code and this rule or resides out-of-state and is licensed by an out-of-state governmental agency.

(B) The following categories for each license or registration type are as follows:

(1) Weigher, sampler, or tester:

(a) In plant weigher;

(b) In plant sampler;

(c) Bulk tank weigher, sampler.

(2) Milk hauler;

(a) Bulk milk hauler;

(b) Can milk hauler.

(C) An application shall be submitted for each license type. A license fee of fifteen dollars shall accompany each license or registration application. After the initial issuance of a license or registration, an application and license fee set forth in this paragraph shall be submitted when an additional category within the license type is desired. A license or registration shall remain valid unless suspended, revoked or canceled.

(D) Prior to issuance of a weigher, sampler, or tester license, an applicant shall pass an examination that is given in accordance with section 917.08 of the Revised Code and "Appendix B of the Pasturized Milk Ordinance" (2019).

(E) Under the authority of sections 917.09 and 917.091 of the Revised Code the director may issue a temporary weigher, sampler, or tester license or registration to an applicant upon determination that the applicant has met all qualifications for licensure except successful completion of an examination. A temporary weigher, sampler or tester license shall remain in effect for ninety days or the date of the next examination, which ever comes first.

(F) A person when licensed or registered as a milk hauler shall provide the director with a list adequately identifying all owned or leased bulk milk transport tanks or conveyances used to transport raw milk. Thereafter, the milk hauler shall provide the director with any additions, or deletions to such lists annually. The director shall assign an identification number for each bulk milk transport tank or conveyance. The milk hauler shall affix the assigned identification to the tank or conveyance in a manner prescribed by the director.

(G) Licenses or registrations are not transferable with respect to persons or locations.

(H) Licenses or registrations may be cancelled by the director, at no cost to the licensee or registrant, if the licensee or registrant:

(1) Makes such a request of the director;

(2) Transfers the licensed or registered activity to another person;

(3) Does not perform the licensed category activity or registered activity for six months; or

(4) Expired.

(I) Milk haulers located in Ohio shall pay the milk inspection fees prescribed by the milk sanitation board in accordance with section 917.031 of the Revised Code, in addition to the license or registration fee prescribed by section 917.09 of the Revised Code and this rule. Inspection fees shall be paid to the treasurer, state of Ohio, within fifteen days after the receipt of the invoice. Failure to pay inspection fees shall be cause for license or registration revocation.

(J) Any license or registration issued under this rule may be denied, suspended, or revoked by the director for violation of sections 917.01 to 917.24 of the Revised Code or rules adopted under the Administrative Code. Except as provided by section 917.22 of the Revised Code and by this rule, the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license or registration is not effective until notice in writing of the violation has been given and a hearing afforded before the director.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/15/2007
Rule 901:11-4-03 | Procedures and prohibitions.
 

(A) No person shall produce, provide, sell, offer, expose for sale, or have in their possession with the intent to sell, any milk or milk product which is adulterated or misbranded. Any adulterated or misbranded milk or milk products may be impounded by the director and disposed of in accordance with applicable laws or regulations.

(B) Upon notification by the director that a milk or milk product contains an adulterant or that an emergency exists that presents a clear and present danger as described in rule 901:11-1-02 of the Administrative Code the hauler shall:

(1) Not transport raw milk from a milk producer's dairy farm found violative under rule 901:11-1-02 or 901:11-2-05 of the Administrative Code until such time that subsequent analysis of the milk producer's milk is no longer positive for drug residue; provided the milk hauler may transport milk for the purpose of disposal;

(2) Not transport the adulterated product from the designated location until such time that subsequent analysis shows the product to meet or exceed acceptable food safety standards; and

(3) Immediately notify the director and the milk processor, of the ultimate disposition of the raw milk, if the milk processor does not perform the ultimate disposition.

(C) The milk hauler or weigher, sampler, or tester shall not:

(1) Switch producer raw milk samples;

(2) Falsify sample collection, weight, temperature, or test data in a fashion to provide false or misleading results to the producer, processor, purchasing organization, or any regulatory agency;

(3) Represent one producer's milk as that from another;

(4) Fail to report tanks, meters or scales that are known to have been tampered with, or altered or improperly installed;

(5) Offer or expose for sale; or use for human consumption; or have in his or her possession; or distribute for human consumption any milk or milk product which is adulterated or misbranded, as provided in the applicable provisions of Chapter 3715. of the Revised Code and rules adopted thereunder, or exceeds the specific tolerances set forth in regulations adopted under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act 21 U.S.C. 201, 301, 402, or 406 as amended by the FDA Modernization Act of 1997;

(6) Sell, offer, or expose for sale or use for human consumption, or have in his or her possession with intent to sell or distribute for human consumption, any milk or milk product that is produced at an unlicensed facility or a facility whose license was suspended or revoked by the director;

(7) Manipulate any operation or data so as to produce false or misleading information or results;

(8) Make a false or misleading report; or

(9) Engage in any deceptive practice that would affect prompt and accurate producer payment.

Last updated December 5, 2023 at 11:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.05
Five Year Review Date: 11/3/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 11/18/2002, 6/6/2005
Rule 901:11-4-05 | Construction.
 

Conveyances used for the transportation of milk in cans shall be of the enclosed type construction.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/15/2007
Rule 901:11-4-06 | Cleaning and sanitizing of containers and equipment.
 

Multiple loads of milk may be picked up continuously within a twenty-four hour period provided the bulk milk transport tank or conveyance and the related multi-use equipment are cleaned and sanitized after each twenty-four hour period of use.

(A) The first receiving facility shall clearly indicate on the cleaning and sanitizing tag the earliest milk pickup time as recorded on the milk pickup manifest.

(B) Each receiving facility shall make a copy of the original wash tag for each bulk milk transport tank load received and maintain a record of this information at their facility.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/6/2005, 5/11/2012
Rule 901:11-4-07 | Weighing.
 

(A) The weighing of milk in cans shall be conducted in a manner using one of the methods listed as follows:

(1) The use of a properly calibrated and sealed dial scale and weigh tank;

(2) The use of a properly calibrated and sealed digital scale and weigh tank;

(3) The use of a properly calibrated collection tank with a measuring rod or capillary tube, where weight or volume may be recorded for each producer prior to pumping to a storage tank; or

(4) The use of a properly calibrated bulk tank for each producer's can milk to be measured.

(B) Licensed weigher, sampler, or testers receiving milk or cream in cans, shall sign daily weight sheets. Information on the weight sheets shall include the producer's name, route/patron number, weight of milk or cream received, and milk temperature at the time of receipt. The original weighers report shall be kept on file in the plant for six months following the date of weighing.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/6/2005
Rule 901:11-4-08 | Sampling.
 

(A) Each weigher, sampler, or tester shall collect a sample of milk shipped in cans at the first point of receipt. The sample shall be collected in the following manner:

(1) The milk must be agitated a sufficient time to obtain a homogeneous blend;

(2) Use a sanitized thermometer to check the temperature of the milk and record the result on the sampling form;

(3) Hold the sampling container away from the can or tank opening while filling;

(4) Fill the sample container not more than three-fourths full after closing and not expel air from the container if a plastic bag is used;

(5) Collect a sample immediately after each producer's cans are emptied into a weigh tank. If the weigh tank is not large enough for the producer's total volume of milk, collect proportionate amounts of milk from each filling into a single sample container;

(6) Collect a temperature control sample. When the milk from more than one producer is being sampled a temperature control sample is required for only the first producer's milk sampled; and

(7) Place the samples immediately into the sample storage case. The sample case and the storage of samples shall meet the following criteria:

(a) The sample case shall be insulated and constructed of rigid metal, plastic or waterproof material for safe transportation of samples to the laboratory;

(b) The sample case shall have ample space to hold samples, as well as a refrigerant;

(c) Samples shall to be cooled and maintained at a temperature of forty degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) or less but not cooler than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius); and

(d) Samples shall be stored in an upright position and the level of the refrigerant slightly above the level of the milk in the sample container. The neck of the sample container shall be kept above the refrigerant to prevent possible contamination of the sample; or

(e) The samples can be placed in a refrigerator that cools and maintains the samples at a temperature of forty degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) or less but not cooler than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius).

(B) When a sample is taken directly from the producers milk cans, the weigher, sampler, or tester shall collect a proportionate amount of milk from each can and transfer the milk into a single sample container. The sample shall be collected in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/6/2005
Rule 901:11-4-09 | Protection from contamination.
 

Milk cans shall only be used for transporting milk and milk products. Milk cans shall not be transported with any other item that may cause contamination.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 11/18/2002, 6/6/2005
Rule 901:11-4-11 | Identification.
 

All conveyances, milk tank trucks and milk cans containing milk or milk products shall be labeled in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Last updated January 18, 2024 at 8:27 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 917.02
Amplifies: 917.02
Five Year Review Date: 1/18/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/6/2005