Dairy & Dairy Product Manufacturing

Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law and associated regulations govern the state's Milk Sanitation Program, and establishes mechanisms for inspections, certifications, and Interstate Milk Shippers ratings of permit holders and licensees.

Pennsylvania's Milk Sanitation Law and associated regulations govern the state's Milk Sanitation Program including raw milk production, and establishes mechanisms for inspections, certifications, and Interstate Milk Shippers ratings of permit holders and licensees. On May 23, 2026, the final form Milk Sanitation Regulations were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin becoming effective immediately. This final-form rulemaking is authorized under the act of July 2, 1935, (P.L. 589, No. 210) (31 P.S. §§ 645—660g), known as the Milk Sanitation Law, which establishes the powers and duties of the Department with respect to milk sanitation. A summary of the changes and the timeline for enforcement is outlined in the Milk Sanitation Regulation Summary of Changes Notice. This notice provides a synopsis of the changes made from the previous Chapter 59a regulations to the current edition set forth in the Bulletin.

In conjunction with obtaining a Weigher/Sampler license through the Pennsylvania Milk Board, individuals who perform in-field sampling of raw milk for pasteurization from bulk tanks, silos, and/or direct load systems shall obtain and maintain field certification of the sampling procedures. The BFSLS issues this certification based on standards found in Appendix B of the latest version of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.

Examination: As of January 1, 2026, the Bureau of Food Safety will be administering the examination portion of the weigher sampler certification process in addition to continuing to provide field evaluation support. All individuals seeking initial certification will be required to apply with the Bureau using the Milk Sampler Certification Application.

Upon review of the Weigher Sampler Study Guide material, the applicant shall contact the Bureau at RA-AGMILKPROGRAM@PA.GOV for release of the examination which will be administered electronically. Once the applicant has passed the online exam, the field evaluation can be scheduled with the assigned inspector.

An overview of this process can be reviewed on the weigher sampler process flow chart below.

Important information. Please read carefully:

PDA cannot place you on the approved certification list until PMB application is completed.

*If this is for certification is for non-cow species (Goat, Sheep, Water Buffalo, and/or Camel) milk ONLY, PMB does not need to be contacted. If cow species is to be picked up, PMB must be contacted.

All bulk milk hauler/shippers must also have a valid weigher/sampler license from the Pennsylvania Milk Board (PMB) if they will be involved in weighing milk of bovine (cow) species. Non-bovine species do not need to obtain PMB licensure. More information on this licensure can be found on PMB’s website.

Field Certification: Samplers seeking certification or recertification shall come prepared with the required sampling equipment including tanker truck, milk transfer hose, thermometer, sanitizer strips, sample well and dipper, or other aseptic sampling supplies as outlined in the facilities aseptic sampling SOP, sample vials, weight slips, and a means to identify the sample (i.e. marker/pen/sticker).

A list of certifications issued by the Department is published monthly. Certification is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Weigher/Samplers shall make all efforts to renew certifications prior to expiration. If your name does not appear on this list, your certification has expired by more than 1 year.

Weigher Sampler Certifications

To schedule an initial field certification or renew a Weigher/Sampler field certification, contact the assigned inspector for your county using the Regional Weigher Sampler Contact Map.

Reciprocity: BFSLS does acknowledge and support the PMO’s reciprocity allowance for accepting field certifications conducted in other states. If the appropriate information is provided, this can be added to our database. However, the sampler application and exam are a PA specific requirement. The sampler application alerts us to create space in the database for the new sampler. The exam can contain PA specific regulations which would not be reviewed/acknowledged if PA exam was not taken.

A person certified by the Department to obtain samples of milk or milk products for analysis by a PA Approved Dairy Laboratory. The samples obtained do not require the weighing of milk and are not subject to PMMB licensing. These certifications do include those termed as an Industry Plant Sampler as described in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). *New samplers shall fill out the Milk Sampler Certification Application and utilize the same Contact Map listed above for initial contact.

Sampler Definitions:

Milk for Pasteurization: Samples pulled from silos or storage tanks at processing facilities OR from bulk tanks prior to ship to a processing facility for regulatory testing (may be commingled or single supply)
Milk Products: Bottled and/or packaged milk products (other than fluid milk) pulled for regulatory testing.
Pasteurized Milk: Bottled and/or packaged fluid milk products pulled for regulatory testing.
Frozen Desserts: Samples pulled from soft-serve ice cream dispensers for regulatory testing related to Ch.59a.21. (c)
Raw Milk: Sampled pulled from bulk tanks (or possibly silos) for regulatory testing to meet the requirements of Ch. 59a. Subchapter F.
Single Service Containers: Samples of manufactured containers and/or closures for single or multi-use packaging in dairy processing for regulatory testing as found in Appendix J of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.

A list of certifications issued by the Department will be published on a quarterly basis. These certifications expire after 24 months (plus the remaining days of the expiration month). If your name does not appear on this list, your certification has expired by more than 1 year. Please contact the Department using the Regional Contact Map to schedule your re-certification.

Plant Sampler Database

When a regulatory seal is broken, the dairy plant permit holder shall immediately notify the Department by emailing the BFSLS 525 Pasteurization System Broken Seal Report to the assigned territory supervisor for the county of operation for authorization to perform the appropriate pasteurization equipment tests. The pasteurization system shall not be allowed to operate until the pasteurization equipment with the broken seal has been tested and resealed by the Department or the facility is authorized to operate as outlined by FDA's M-I-13-3 guidelines and the Bureau's Pasteurization System Broken Seal Procedures.

Please direct all inquiries related to laboratory evaluations to RA-AGMILKPROGRAM@pa.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture approves commercial laboratories and milk facilities to perform tests required by current regulations. Regulatory compliance is mandatory for raw milk, pasteurized milk, other dairy products, and frozen desserts.

Entities licensed by the department that process and package pasteurized milk, dairy products, frozen dessert, raw milk permits, and producer testing, use commercial laboratories to ensure regulatory compliance. Check out the Pennsylvania Laboratory Evaluation Program page to learn more about this program including access to mandatory reporting forms and emergency laboratory reporting procedures.

A person may not produce nor sell raw milk or raw milk butter for human consumption within this Commonwealth without having a current raw milk permit issued by the Department and complying with the applicable testing and inspection requirements. The term “sell” includes the selling, exchanging, delivering or having in possession, care, control or custody with intent to sell, exchange, or deliver or to offer or to expose for sale. The term “sell” also includes selling, exchanging, or delivering to a consumer who is a member of a “buyer’s club,” cow herd share agreement or other type of membership purchasing group.

Raw Milk Permit Sampling and Testing

It is the responsibility of the raw milk permitholder to arrange for the regular sampling and testing required with respect to the raw milk permit, and to pay for this testing. An approved sampler must draw the samples that will be submitted to a Pennsylvania-approved dairy laboratory for analysis.

Raw Milk Permit Initial Testing

An applicant for a new raw milk permit shall demonstrate its ability to produce safe raw milk for human consumption through the following process:

An approved sampler must draw three separate samples of commingled milk from the bulk tank. The samples shall be drawn at least 7 days apart and be taken on an unannounced basis.
If any of the three analyzed samples violates or exceeds a standard, the three-sample process shall repeat itself until three successive samples are in compliance.
If the first of the three required samples is tested and concludes that no pathogenic bacteria are present, the second and third samples need not be tested for the presence of pathogenic bacteria. If a sample test concludes that pathogenic bacteria are present, a raw milk permit will not be issued until two separate consecutive tests, from samples drawn at least 7 days apart, conclude that no pathogenic bacteria are present.

Raw Milk Permit Routine Testing

Raw milk for human consumption must be tested twice a month for bacterial count, coliform count, somatic cell count and growth inhibitors and once every 6 months for pathogens.
The raw milk samples must meet the following standards: Bacterial Count <20,000, Coliform Count <10, Somatic Cell Count <500,000, Growth Inhibitors not found and Pathogens Negative

Raw Milk Sanitation

A raw milk permitholder shall maintain and operate their dairy operation in compliance with the same sanitation and handling standards applicable to the production of milk for pasteurization and are subject to routine inspections by the Department to ensure compliance is achieved and maintained.

Registration and Certification

Applicants looking to manufacture, process, transport, distribute, and/or warehouse milk, milk products, and/or manufactured dairy products need to download or print Application packet.

All material must be submitted at least 60 days prior to operating. Failure to provide all required information can delay and/or deny your plan review. Email is the preferred method of plan review submission.

Submit completed application and requested documentation to:

RA-AGPLANREVIEW@pa.gov

or mail / fax to:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services
Attn: Plan Review
2301 N. Cameron St, Room 112
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Fax: 717-787-1873

Do not send money with this application

Your application will either be approved or not approved. Either way, there are next steps you will need to take:

If Approved:

You will receive an approval notice via email.
An inspector will schedule an on-site inspection of the facility
Upon a compliant inspection, your Milk Permit will be issued.

If not approved:

You will be sent notice describing why the plans were not approved. Applicants are encouraged to re-submit the plans again with the corrected or requested information.

If inspection is not passed:

You will be provided with an inspection report stating your deficiencies. When deficiencies are corrected, you can contact your inspector to request another inspection.

Renewal of permits occurs annually with notification to proprietors approximately 45 days prior to the current expiration date. Renewals can also be processed online with a user account and unique business code. You can look up your facility's business ID code on the public facility search page to proceed with online renewal. There is no fee associated with obtaining nor renewing milk permits.

Contacts

Karie Williams
Food Program Specialist, Milk Program
717-571-7896
kariwillia@pa.gov

Jessica Gehr
Food Program Specialist, Milk Program
570-407-2654
jgehr@pa.gov

Phillip Harchack
Food Program Specialist, LEO Program
717-580-2700
phharchack@pa.gov

Publications

Large Container Shelf Life Testing Policy (PDF)

Milk Labeling Standards (PDF)

Milk Labeling Flexibility Memo (PDF)

Skim Milk and Skim Milk Labeling - FDA Electronic Reading Room posting of two related documents, titled “Letter to South Mountain Creamery – April 20, 2020” and “Letter to South Mountain Creamery – July 10, 2018”