Dairy Facilities

The Dairy Division inspects Dairy Farms, Dairy Plants, Bulk Milk Haulers, and Transport Tankers to the frequency and standards of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (2003 revision).  This model ordinance is written and maintained by the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments and overseen by the Food and Drug Administration Milk Saftey Team.

Samples

The Dairy Division also collects samples of raw milk and pasteurized products from each dairy farm and dairy processing plant once a month.  These samples are analyzed for Standard Plate Count, Somatic Cell Count, Freezing Point, Beta Lactams, Residual Phosphatase, and Total Coliforms by the Scientific Laboratory Division (SLD) of the New Mexico Department of Health.

Water

Well water that is used to clean milk contact surfaces is tested for total coliforms by SLD.  Also recirculated cooling water from both dairy farms and dairy plants is tested for total coliforms to ensure that water will not comtaminate milk contact surfaces in the event that they should come into contact.

Milk Tankers

Milk tankers are inspected to ensure that they are constructed to the requirements of the PMO.  Also to ensure that they are cleaned and sanitized a minimum of every seventy two hours.

Bulk Haulers

Milk tanker truck drivers, or bulk milk hauler/samplers, are instructed by NMDA inspectors in a classroom setting on the proper techniques of sampling milk and the reasons why these techniques are important.  A written exam is given and the applicant must pass the exam with a 70% or above.  An inspection in the field is conducted to ensure that the bulk hauler/sampler can perform the correct techniques.

Cheese Program

NMDA this year has implemented a new program testing cheese.  Once a month NMDA inspectors collect cheese samples from each New Mexico cheese processor and submit them to SLD.  Each sample is tested for the following pathogens:  Campylobacter, Streptococci, Salmonella, Listeria, and Total Coliform.  This program is intended to insure that cheese produced in the State of New Mexico is safe from pathogens.

Dairy product inspection

Consumer Services routinely inspects dairy products for open-dating violations. No dairy product can be offered for sale after the expiration date on the container.

Frozen dessert inspections are also conducted under this act, which includes, routine and random inspections on frozen dairy desserts (ice cream, sherbet, ice milk, mellorine). There is a standard of identity for these products and we ensure they are meeting this standard.

Dairy Licenses and Registration

Milk Protection