USDA Proposes Dairy Product Grade Standards

September 11, 2000

USDA has invited public comment on its proposal to change the U.S. standards for grades of nonfat dry milk (spray process); the standards for instant nonfat dry milk and the standards for grades of dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product. The standards for these products have been in effect since May, 22, 1996, Aug. 7, 1996 and Aug. 23, 1991, respectively. The proposal is in response to a request by the American Dairy Products Institute, a trade association representing the dry milk industry.

The proposed changes would reduce the standard plate count (bacterial estimates) for U.S. extra grade nonfat dry milk (spray process) from a maximum of 40,000 per gram to a maximum of 10,000 per gram; for instant nonfat dry milk from a maximum of 30,000 per gram to a maximum of 10,000 per gram; for extra grade dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product from a maximum of 50,000 per gram to a maximum of 20,000 per gram and for dry buttermilk and dry buttermilk product from a maximum of 200,000 per gram to 75,000 per gram.

USDA grade standards are voluntary standards developed to facilitate the marketing process. Manufacturers of dairy products are free to choose whether or not to use these grade standards.

The proposed changes were published in the Sept. 8 Federal Register. Comments must be postmarked by Nov. 7. Written comments must be sent to: Duane R. Spomer; Chief, Dairy Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Room 2746-SB, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; faxed to (202) 720-2643; or, e-mailed to Duane.Spomer@usda.gov.

All comments received will be made available for public inspection at the above address during regular business hours (8 a.m. B 4:30 p.m.). The current standards for these along with the proposed changes, are available either by contacting the office identified above or by accessing the Dairy Standardization Branch at http://www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/stand.htm