Pennsylvania Laboratory Evaluation Program

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 Dairy Labs 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.

All dairy laboratories are evaluated every two years by a Laboratory Evaluation Officer. A full list of Pennsylvania IMS listed laboratories can be found at on the Interstate Milk Shippers List under Branch 1. The laboratories on this list meet the standards of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance to test dairy products based on approved lab methods. The applicable 2400 forms that should be used based on the type of testing method can be found under the FDA Forms section of the website.

A full list of Pennsylvania Appendix N Screening only laboratories can be found on the Appendix N Screening Only Dairy Laborato​ries list​​.

All positive official monthly and semi-annual test results are required to be reported to the Department of Agriculture immediately, by emailing the BFSLS 472 Emergency Laboratory Report Form, a copy of the positive test results and any supporting documentation applicable (i.e. bill of lading) to RA-AGLABRESULTS@pa.gov.

Screening Facilities – A copy of this report shall accompany the truck and producer samples to the confirmation location, be kept on file at the screening location, and be sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture with the BFSLS 477 Appendix N Bulk Tanker Positive Drug Residue Test Report immediately upon identifying a positive result.

Laboratory Reports

Reports shall be provided to the Department within the time periods established in the NCIMS Grade “A” program, or within 30 days of test completion. Laboratories shall report results that are noncompliant under the standards established in the PMO or this chapter within 48 hours. The Department has established the formatting requirements in which laboratories must submit test results to the Department when reporting pathogen, drug residue and other routine testing results. A fillable PDF template for each type of required dairy laboratory sample is available below. 

• Containers, Closures, and Outer Wrapping Results
• Grade A or Non-Grade A Raw Milk and Milk Products Results
• Raw Milk Butter Permit Results
• Raw Milk Permit Pathogen Results
• Raw Milk Permit Results
• Vitamin Testing Results
• Water Testing Results
   

Dairy Laboratory Directors are required for any Industry or commercial laboratory. The requirements for dairy laboratory directors can be found in Ch. 59a.5. Standards for Pennsylvania-approved dairy laboratories, official laboratories and other laboratories; reports of results. As of May 23, 2026, the Bureau no longer requires a Dairy Laboratory Directors examination. The Dairy Laboratory Director will be required to pass an onsite performance evaluation by the Laboratory Evaluation Officer in accordance with the Evaluation of Milk Laboratories and applicable provisions of the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. This individual will be provisionally certified until successfully passing the Department’s annual milk split sample proficiency testing for the methods specific to the certification requested. Once certified, the PA Approved Dairy Laboratory Director will maintain certification by completing on site evaluations conducted by the Department’s LEO and continuing satisfactory performance with the annual milk split sample performance testing.

To apply as a Dairy Laboratory Director please submit the Dairy Laboratory Director Application to RA-AGMILKPROGRAM@pa.gov or in writing to the below address:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services

ATTN: Laboratory Evaluation Officer

2301 North Cameron Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110
 

This site contains training documents associated with Appendix N Drug Residue testing and QC forms that are required for record keeping. A test will be required for completion of the training program and will be in an online format. A score of 80% is a passing grade. Passing test scores will be maintained as proof of training.

Training of Certified Industry Supervisors (CIS) and Industry Supervisors (IS) that are listed at their testing facility is required according to the current version of FDA Evaluation of Milk Laboratories Manual (EML).

Participation in a training program with a passing test score would be acceptable for the required training of CIS and IS.

The CIS quiz and IS quiz are available on demand at anytime.

This training must be completed every two (2) years during the onsite evaluation. Failure to do so could result in removal as a CIS or IS.

For Appendix N Dairy Laboratories only that are starting up, please see the Appendix N lab start up procedures. 
 

The National Milk Drug Residue Database (NMDRD) system was implemented in cooperation with the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. The goal is to have a database that consists of testing of milk samples for drug residues by the industry, states, and federal agencies. The data shall include information on the source of samples, when analyses were conducted, numbers of analyses, methods used, and results by drug and methods.

Results shall be submitted monthly to the Department at RA-AGNMDRDREPORTS@pa.gov using the NMDRD Base Reporting Form.

The original PDF form should be submitted to ensure proper data entry. Scanned copies are not acceptable.

The NMDRD Reporting Instructions provides directions on how to fill out this form.

QC (Quality Control) Forms ensures that a laboratory is following the Evaluation of Milk Laboratory Manual, current edition. These forms are necessary to accurately capture required documentation that will be reviewed during the Laboratory Audit conducted by the Department's LEO's to verify accuracy of laboratory procedures.

Applicable QC forms for dairy laboratories can be found in the QC Forms section of the website.