Commissioner Adam H. Putnam

Dairy Industry

Florida Laws | FAQ | Forms | Related Links | Contact

The Bureau of Dairy Industry enforces Florida's Milk, Milk Products and Frozen Desserts Law and rules and regulations covering both categories. The Bureau's responsibilities begin with milk production on the dairy farm and end at the retail store.

The Dairy Inspection Section makes sanitary inspections of all dairy farms, milk and milk product processing plants, and frozen dessert plants to see that each is operated in a sanitary manner and in compliance with public health regulations.  Pasteurization tests are also performed by Section personnel to ensure product safety.  Milk transfer stations, receiving stations, tank truck washing facilities, and container/closure manufacturers are also inspected.  This Section issues permits to applicants, reviews and approves new construction, new equipment installation, and any renovation to existing facilities.

The Dairy Compliance Monitoring Section performs regulatory analyses on all milk, milk products, and frozen dessert samples submitted by the Dairy Inspection Section. Samples collected by the Division of Food Safety, as well as special samples submitted by consumers, county health departments, and others, are also tested. This Section conducts the Milkfat Testers Program as provided in Chapter 502, F.S., the industry Interstate Milk Shippers Laboratory Evaluation Program, and the statewide Shelf Life Sample Analysis Program. The Central Dairy Laboratory is located in Winter Haven.

Florida Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the PMO?
    The Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) is published by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Public Health Service. This is a document that all 50 states and U.S. Territories have adopted as a model ordinance for Grade A milk product regulation.

  2. What does the date on a milk product mean?
    The State of Florida has a shelf-life requirement for dairy products sold here. The date on the container is the last date the product is available for sale. The product should still be palatable for at least four days after that date. Our laboratory routinely tests products to ensure processors meet this requirement.

  3. Why does milk sometimes sour or "go bad" before the date on the container?
    The keeping quality of milk is extremely temperature dependent. Milk must be kept between 33 and 45 at all times. If milk is left in a hot automobile or on the counter for an extended time after purchase, it can adversely affect the keeping quality. Milk can also be affected by storage in a refrigerator that is not cold enough. To help maintain the quality of milk you purchase, these steps should be followed:
    • always pick milk products up last before check out;
    • place milk products in the refrigerator as soon as possible;
    • make sure the temperature inside your refrigerator is at least 45 or less; and
    • do not leave your milk products on the counter or table.

  4. What information does the label provide regarding milkfat and butterfat content?
    If the fat percentage is stated (i.e., 2%) then the amount of fat in the product must be within 0.3% of the stated percentage. For 2% the acceptable fat percentage would be between 1.7% and 2.3%.

    If the label states "Milk" and no other fat descriptor, then the product must contain at least 3.25% fat.

    If the label states "Reduced Fat", then the product must have a reduction of fat by at least 50% or less than approximately 1.625%. Product labeled as "Lowfat" must have less than 3 grams of fat per serving (240 ml) or less than approximately1.2%. Product labeled as "Nonfat", "Fat-Free" or "Skim" must have less than ½ gram of fat per serving (240 ml) or less than approximately 0.2%.

    Our laboratory routinely tests products to ensure processors meet this requirement.


  5. What must I do to start a dairy farm, dairy processing plant or frozen dessert plant business?
    Dairy Farms - A dairy farm will require a Division of Dairy Industry permit (DACS-05026) for operation in the State.Contact the Division Office at (850) 245-5415 or e-mail Gary Newton at Gary.Newton@freshfromflorida.com with any question regarding the application process or requirements.

    Dairy Processing Plants - A dairy plant (both in-state and out-of-state) will require a Division of Dairy Industry permit (DACS-05019) for operation and/or the sale of products in the State. Contact the Division Office at (850) 245-5415 or e-mail Gary Newton at Gary.Newton@freshfromflorida.com with any question regarding the application process or requirements.

    Frozen Dessert Plants - A frozen dessert plant (both in-state and out-of-state) that sells wholesale products will require a Division of Dairy Industry permit (DACS-05016) for operation and/or the sale of product in the State. Contact the Division Office at (850) 245-5415 or e-mail Gary Newton at Gary.Newton@freshfromflorida.com with any question regarding the application process or requirements.

    A frozen dessert operation that sells retail products should contact the Department of Agriculture's Division of Food Safety (850) 245-5520 or the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Hotels and Restaurants (850) 488-1133 (www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/index.shtml).

  6. What is required to obtain a Florida Milk Fat testers License?
    A laboratory technician/analyst will require a Division of Dairy Industry license (DACS-05029) if the results of their testing will be used as a basis of payment for the buying or selling of dairy products. There are several stages to obtaining this permit. First, a person seeking to be licensed as a Milk Fat Tester must be employed by and work in an industry milk laboratory. Next, the applicant must have a satisfactory onsite evaluation by the State Milk Laboratory Evaluation Officer and participate in the State's split sample milk fat program with satisfactory results. Contact the Central Dairy Lab at (863) 298-7748 or e-mail Ricky Lam at Ricky.Lam@freshfromflorida.com with any questions regarding the application process or requirements.

    Back to Top

Forms

Please follow the instructions provided below when printing and completing the forms listed.

  1. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print forms. Skip this step if Adobe Reader is already installed on your pc.
  2. Print forms on white 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
  3. Type or print the entire form in blue or black ink.
  4. If fees are required, make check(s) payable to: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES.
  5. Mail check(s) to: FDACS-Dairy, Post Office Box 6700, Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6700.
  6. If submitting DACS-05012, DACS-05019, DACS-05026, DACS-05060, DACS-05061, DACS-05062, DACS-05064 or DACS-05071 that do not require fees, please send to:  Division of Dairy Industry, 3125 Conner Blvd., MS C-27, Tallahassee, FL  32399-1650.

Back to Top

Related Links

Back to Top

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:
Gary Newton - Dairy Inspection Section
E-mail Gary.Newton@freshfromflorida.com
3125 Conner Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida  32399-1650
Phone:  (850) 245-5415
Fax:  (850) 922-9444

Ricky H Lam - Dairy Compliance Monitoring Section
E-mail Ricky.Lam@freshfromflorida.com
3023 Lake Alfred Road
Winter Haven, Florida 33881-1438
Phone:  (863) 298-7751
Fax:  (850) 297-3091

Back to Top