HHS:PHS:FDA:CFSAN:OC:DCP:MSB
200 C Street, S.W.
Washington D.C.
M-I-97-6
October 24, 1997
TO: All Regional Food and Drug Directors
Attn: Regional Milk Specialists
FROM: Milk Safety Branch (HFS-626)
SUBJECT: Acceptable Alternative To Sanitizing Teats Prior To Milking
Based on a review of scientific literature, FDA has accepted the following as an alternative to treating teats with a sanitizing solution prior to milking, as required by item 13r of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, "Milking-- flanks, udders and teats".
"Sanitizing of the teats shall not be required if the udder is dry and the teats have been thoroughly cleaned (not dry wiped) and dried (manually wiped dry) prior to milking. The determination of what constitutes a dry udder and cleaned and dried teats shall be made by the regulatory agency."
NOTE: Additional alternative udder preparation methods may also be used once they have been evaluated by FDA and found acceptable.
Copies of this memorandum are enclosed for your distribution to District Milk Specialists, state milk regulatory agencies, State Laboratory Evaluation Officers (LEOS) and State Milk Rating Officers in your region. This memorandum is also available on the FDA Prime Connection Computer bulletin board system (internet address: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov), and should be widely distributed to representatives of the dairy industry, state veterinarians, state veterinary and pharmacy boards, veterinarian professional organizations, and all other interested parties.
Joseph M. Smucker