California · Food and Agricultural Code - FAC

FAC §33519: The pails, cans, bottles, or other containers for milk or its products, or the strainers, coolers or other utensils, appliances, apparatus, or equipment which come in contact with the milk or its prod

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The pails, cans, bottles, or other containers for milk or its products, or the strainers, coolers or other utensils, appliances, apparatus, or equipment which come in contact with the milk or its products shall be thoroughly washed and afterwards sterilized each time they are used by one of the following methods: (a) Exposure to water vapor at a temperature of not less than 170 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least 15 minutes or at a temperature of not less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least five minutes in a steam cabinet equipped with an indicating thermometer which is located in the coldest zone. (b) Exposure to an enclosed jet of steam for not less than one minute. (c) Complete immersion in hot water at a temperature of not less than 170 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least five minutes. (d) Exposure to a flow of hot water of a temperature of not less than 170 degrees Fahrenheit, as determined at an outlet, for a period of at least five minutes. (e) Exposure to hot air at a temperature of not less than 180 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least 20 minutes in an oven or hot air cabinet which is equipped with an indicating thermometer located in the coldest zone. (f) A chemical or other sterilization process which has been approved by the director and which is used in the manner which is established by regulation of the director.

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