MILK, MILK PRODUCTS, AND FROZEN DESSERTS

F.S. Ch. 502

in effect

F.S. 502.012 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term: (1) “Bulk milk hauler/sampler” means a person who collects official samples and transports raw milk from a farm or raw milk products to or from a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station and is permitted to sample the milk products by any state regulatory agency charged with implementing the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Grade “A” program. (2) “Bulk milk pickup tanker” means a vehicle, including the truck and tank and those appurtenances necessary for its use, that is used to transport bulk raw milk for pasteurization, ultra-pasteurization, aseptic processing and packaging, or retort processing after packaging from a dairy farm to a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station. (3) “Dairy farm” means any place or premises where one or more lactating animals, including cows, goats, sheep, water buffalo, or other hooved mammals, are kept for milking purposes, and from which a part or all of the milk is provided, sold, or offered for sale. (4) “Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (5) “Frozen dessert” means a specific standardized frozen dessert described in 21 C.F.R. part 135, excluding part 135.160. (6) “Frozen desserts plant” means any place that pasteurizes dairy products or receives raw milk for the purpose of manufacturing or processing frozen desserts. (7) “Grade ‘A’ pasteurized milk ordinance” means the document entitled “Grade ‘A’ Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration,” including all associated appendices, as adopted by department rule. (8) “Imitation milk and imitation milk products” means those foods that have the physical characteristics, such as taste, flavor, body, texture, or appearance, of milk or milk products as defined in this chapter and the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance but do not come within the definition of “milk” or “milk products” and are nutritionally inferior to the product imitated. (9) “Milk” means the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows, goats, sheep, water buffalo, or other hooved mammals. (10) “Milk distributor” means any person who offers for sale or sells to another person any milk or milk product. (11) “Milk hauler” means any person who transports raw milk or raw milk products to or from a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station. (12) “Milk plant” means any place, premises, or establishment where milk or milk products are collected, handled, processed, stored, pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, aseptically processed and packaged, retort processed after packaging, condensed, dried, packaged, bottled, or prepared for distribution. (13) “Milk plant operator” means any person responsible for receiving, processing, pasteurizing, or packaging milk and milk products, or performing any other related operation. (14) “Milk producer” means any person who operates a dairy farm and provides, sells, or offers for sale milk to a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station. (15) “Milk products” means products made with milk that is processed in some manner, including being whipped, acidified, cultured, concentrated, lactose-reduced, or sodium-reduced or aseptically processed, or having the addition or subtraction of milkfat, the addition of safe and suitable microbial organisms, or the addition of safe and suitable optional ingredients for protein, vitamin, or mineral fortification. The term does not include products such as evaporated milk, condensed milk, eggnog in a rigid metal container, dietary products, infant formula, or ice cream and other desserts. (16) “Milk tank truck” means either a bulk milk pickup tanker or a milk transport tank. (17) “Milk transport tank” means a vehicle, including the truck and tank, used by a bulk milk hauler/sampler or a milk hauler to transport bulk shipments of milk from a milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station to another milk plant, receiving station, or transfer station. (18) “Milkfat” or “butterfat” means the fat contained in milk. (19) “Raw milk” means unpasteurized milk. (20) “Receiving station” means any place, premises, or establishment where raw milk is received, collected, handled, stored, or cooled and prepared for further transporting. (21) “Reconstituted milk or milk products” or “recombined milk or milk products” means milk or milk products that result from reconstituting or recombining milk constituents with potable water. (22) “Retail” means the sale of goods to the public for use or consumption rather than for resale. (23) “Substitute milk and substitute milk products” means those foods that have the physical characteristics, such as taste, flavor, body, texture, or appearance, of milk or milk products as defined in this chapter and the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance but do not come within the definition of “milk” or “milk products” and are nutritionally equivalent to the product for which they are substitutes. (24) “Transfer station” means any place, premises, or establishment where milk or milk products are transferred directly from one milk tank truck to another. (25) “Ultra-pasteurization (UP)” means a process in which milk or milk product is thermally processed at or above 138 degrees Celsius or 280 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 2 seconds, before or after packaging, so as to produce a milk or milk product that has an extended shelf life under refrigerated conditions. (26) “Washing station” means any place, premises, or establishment where milk tank trucks are cleaned and sanitized. (27) “Wholesale” means the selling of goods in quantity to be retailed by others.

F.S. 502.013 Purpose; intent.

(1) PURPOSE. — The purpose of this chapter is to: (a) Ensure, without undue burden on either the regulatory agency or the dairy industry, that milk, milk products, frozen desserts, and frozen dessert mix sold or offered for sale in this state are produced under sanitary conditions, are wholesome and fit for human consumption, and are correctly labeled as to grade, quality, and source of production. (b) Encourage uniformity and a high level of sanitation in milk and frozen dessert production practices in this state. (c) Facilitate the shipment and acceptance of milk and milk products of high sanitary quality in interstate and intrastate commerce. (2) INTENT. — (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to: 1. Eliminate, to the extent practicable, overlapping and unnecessary inspections of dairy farms, milk plants, and frozen dessert plants which may be performed by any agency of state or local government. 2. Pay for the regulation of milk and milk products, except as otherwise provided in s. 502.053, through the General Revenue Fund. (b) It is not the intent of the Legislature to limit the authority of any agency of state or local government to take immediate action incident to the production, processing, or distribution of milk, milk products, and frozen desserts when such action is necessary to protect the public health.

F.S. 502.014 Powers and duties.

(1) The department shall administer and enforce all regulatory laws currently in effect governing: (a) The production, processing, and distribution of milk, milk products, frozen desserts, and frozen dessert mix. (b) The sanitation and sanitary practices of establishments where food and drink, including milk and milk products, are sold for consumption on the premises, except food service establishments regulated under chapters 381 and 509. (c) The sanitary and healthful condition of the food and drink sold or offered for sale by establishments under the department’s jurisdiction pursuant to paragraph (b). (d) The laboratory work of testing and analyzing milk, milk products, frozen desserts, and frozen dessert mix. (2)(a) The department shall permit, conduct inspections of, and collect samples for testing from all facilities engaged in the production, processing, holding, or transfer of milk and milk products. (b) The department shall designate employees who shall be certified by the United States Food and Drug Administration as state milk sanitation rating officers, sampling surveillance officers, and laboratory evaluation officers in accordance with the requirements published in “Methods of Making Sanitation Ratings of Milk Shippers,” “Evaluation of Milk Laboratories,” and “Procedures Governing the Cooperative State-Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration Program for Certification of Interstate Milk Shippers,” respectively, as adopted by department rule. These officers shall conduct routine sanitation compliance survey ratings of milk producers, milk plants, laboratories, receiving stations, transfer stations, and manufacturers of single-service containers for milk and milk products. These ratings shall be made in accordance with the recommendations of the United States Food and Drug Administration published in “Methods of Making Sanitation Ratings of Milk Shippers.” (3) The department shall define by rule “cottage cheese” and “dry-curd cottage cheese.” The department shall periodically update these definitions to maintain conformity with the federal definitions. (4) The department may impound any reconstituted or recombined milk or any adulterated or misbranded milk or milk product to prevent its use for human consumption, and may dispose of it in a manner that does not create a nuisance. (5) The department has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement and enforce the provisions of this chapter. In adopting these rules, the department shall be guided by and may conform to the definitions and standards of the administrative procedures and provisions of the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance and other applicable federal requirements. The rules shall include, but are not limited to: (a) Standards for milk, milk products, and frozen desserts. (b) Provisions for the production, transportation, processing, handling, sampling, examination, grading, labeling, and sale of all milk, milk products, frozen desserts, and imitation and substitute milk and milk products sold for public consumption in this state. (c) Provisions for the inspection of dairy herds, dairy farms, frozen dessert plants, and milk plants. (d) Provisions for the issuance and revocation of permits issued by the department pursuant to this chapter. (6) The department shall not conduct routine tests or inspections on raw milk that is shipped from outside the state. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of the department to review industry records or sample milk or frozen desserts at any stage of production, processing, or distribution in cases of suspected hazard to public health.

F.S. 502.015 General Inspection Trust Fund.

Any moneys collected by the department pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited in the General Inspection Trust Fund and used solely for the programs in this chapter.

F.S. 502.042 Labeling of shelf life.

To ensure consumers full disclosure of the date beyond which milk or milk products may no longer be offered for sale, all dairy processors must establish and legibly label as prescribed by rule of the department, the maximum shelf-life period during which milk and milk products may be offered for sale. For purposes of this requirement, the term “legibly label” means to label the package or container with conspicuous and easily readable boldfaced print or type in distinct contrast to the background, by color.

F.S. 502.053 Permits and fees; requirements; exemptions; temporary permits.

(1) PERMITS. — (a) All facilities engaged in the production, processing, holding, or transfer of milk and milk products in this state must apply to the department for a permit to operate. The application must be on forms developed by the department. (b) Each frozen dessert plant that manufactures frozen desserts or other products defined in this chapter and offers these products for wholesale in this state must apply to the department for a permit to operate. The application must be submitted on a form prescribed by the department. All frozen dessert permits expire on June 30 of each year. (c) Permits are nontransferable between persons or locations and are subject to suspension or revocation as provided in this chapter. (2) FEES. — The initial application for a frozen dessert plant permit must be accompanied by a permit fee of $200. The annual permit renewal fee is $100. (3) REQUIREMENTS. — (a) To obtain a permit, an applicant must satisfy all requirements that are defined by the department in rule and must agree to comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. The department shall mail a copy of the permit to the applicant to signify that administrative requirements have been met. (b) All permitholders must maintain records of transactions concerning the procurement, production, and processing of milk and milk products as required in the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance and grant department inspectors access to such records during all reasonable hours. (c) In addition to the testing required in the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance and its appendices, each milk plant operator in the state shall be responsible for routine testing and inspection of raw milk shipped from outside the state prior to processing and shall notify the department when such testing and inspection indicate a violation of the standards contained in the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance. (4) EXEMPTIONS. — (a) The following persons are exempt from bulk milk hauler/sampler permit requirements: 1. Milk producers who transport milk or milk products only from their own dairy farms. 2. Employees of a milk distributor or milk plant operator who possesses a valid permit. 3. Drivers of bulk milk tank trucks between locations who do not collect milk from farms. (b) Grocery stores, restaurants, soda fountains, and similar establishments where milk or milk products are served or sold, but not processed, may be exempted from permit requirements. (5) TEMPORARY PERMITS. — (a) The department may issue a temporary permit for a period not exceeding 90 days to milk producers who have submitted an application to the department and passed a preliminary inspection as required in the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance. (b) During this 90-day period, the department shall act expeditiously to determine compliance with all relevant laws and, upon finding compliance, shall issue a permit pursuant to subsection (1).

F.S. 502.054 Inspection and reinspection.

(1) The department shall establish a schedule for inspections which shall require routine inspections in accordance with the minimum requirements contained in the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance and more frequent inspections or reinspections for permitholders with serious or repeated violations. (2) The department shall inspect frozen desserts and frozen dessert plants that handle and process mix and manufacture frozen desserts for wholesale. Inspections must be based on the frequency and severity of a violation. However, the department must comply with all federal requirements governing inspections.

F.S. 502.091 Milk and milk products which may be sold.

(1) Only Grade “A” pasteurized milk and milk products, pasteurized manufactured milk products, ice cream, and frozen desserts, and cheese made from pasteurized milk shall be sold at retail to the final consumer or to food service establishments as defined in chapter 381, food establishments as defined in chapter 500, or public food service establishments as defined in chapter 509. Cheese made from raw milk may also be sold at retail to the final consumer or to food service establishments as defined in chapter 381, food establishments as defined in chapter 500, or public food service establishments as defined in chapter 509 if the cheese is aged more than 60 days at a temperature above 35° F. (a) In an emergency, however, the department may authorize the sale of reconstituted pasteurized milk products, or pasteurized milk and milk products that have not been graded or the grade of which is unknown, in which case such milk and milk products shall be appropriately labeled, as determined by the department. (b) If the department determines that milk is fit for human consumption even though it is less than Grade “A” because the producer failed to comply with the sanitation or bacterial standards defined in this chapter, or if any specific shipment of milk fails to comply with standards of the Grade “A” pasteurized milk ordinance, the department may issue a permit allowing the milk to be used in ungraded products, such as frozen desserts, which are being processed by such milk plant. During processing of such milk, it shall be pasteurized at a temperature of at least 175° F. for at least 15 seconds or at least 160° F. for at least 30 minutes. (2) Milk that is in final package form for beverage use shall have been pasteurized and shall contain at least 8.25 percent milk solids-not-fat and at least 3.25 percent milkfat.

F.S. 502.121 Future dairy farms and milk and frozen dessert plants.

(1) All future construction or extensive alteration of milk houses, milking barns, stables, parlors, transfer stations, and milk and frozen dessert plants regulated under this chapter must meet certain minimum specifications and requirements which the department shall establish. (2) Anyone who plans to construct a new milk house, milking barn, stable, parlor, transfer station, or milk or frozen dessert plant or extensively alter any such existing facility shall notify the department in writing of the intention to construct or alter, the date construction or alteration is to begin, and the legal description of the property for which the construction is planned. (3) The minimum specifications in effect on the date of the original notification shall apply to the construction or alteration. If the construction does not meet these requirements and specifications, the department shall direct the owner to alter the construction to conform to them.

F.S. 502.165 Imitation and substitute milk and milk products.

(1) DISPLAY. — All imitation and substitute milk and milk products sold in retail food stores shall be physically separated from milk or milk products by a partition or other device or divider in the dairy display case or other display-and-sale area. (2) HEALTH STANDARDS. — In the interest of public health, imitation or substitute milk and milk products shall comply with the following standards: (a) Temperature. — They shall be cooled to and maintained at 45° F. or 7° C. or less. (b) Bacterial limits. — Bacterial limits shall be no greater than 20,000 per ml. However, these limits shall not apply to cultured products. (c) Coliform. — Coliform shall not exceed 10 per ml. (3) PERMIT. — Any person engaged in the manufacture of imitation or substitute milk or imitation or substitute milk products within this state shall obtain a permit from the department. Manufacturers of imitation or substitute milk or milk products outside this state shall hold a valid permit from the regulatory authority in their political jurisdiction and shall furnish the department a copy of the permit. (4) PRODUCTS FOR SPECIAL DIETARY PURPOSES. — Products for special dietary purposes shall not mean or include any milk or cream from which none of the milk or butterfat has been extracted, whether or not condensed, evaporated, concentrated, powdered, dried, or desiccated, or to which has been added any substance rich in vitamins, or any distinctive proprietary food compound not readily mistaken for milk or cream or for condensed, evaporated, concentrated, powdered, dried, or desiccated milk or cream, if the compound is: (a) Prepared and designed for the feeding of infants, young children, or sick or infirm persons and customarily used on the order of a physician. (b) Packed in individual containers bearing a label which states in bold type that the contents are to be used for these purposes. (5) FORMULATION. — Nothing in this section shall prevent the use, blending, or compounding of flavors with milk, cream, or skimmed or desiccated milk, whether in bulk or in containers, hermetically sealed or unsealed, if no fat or oil other than milkfat or butterfat has been added to or blended or compounded with it.

F.S. 502.181 Prohibited acts.

It is unlawful for any person in this state to: (1) Engage in the business of producing, hauling, transferring, receiving, processing, packaging, or distributing milk, milk products, or frozen desserts or operating a washing station, manufacturing single-service containers, or manufacturing imitation or substitute milk or milk products without first obtaining a permit or license from the department. (2) Produce, provide, sell, offer for sale, or have in possession with intent to sell, any reconstituted or recombined milk or any adulterated or misbranded milk or milk product. (3) Advertise, package, label, sell, or offer for sale, or cause to be advertised, packaged, labeled, sold, or offered for sale, any imitation or substitute milk or milk product in a manner that is untrue, deceptive, or misleading and which could cause consumers to think they are purchasing a Grade A milk or milk product. (4) Obstruct or resist any authorized inspector while in performance of inspection duties.

F.S. 502.231 Penalty and injunction.

(1) The department may enter an order imposing one or more of the following penalties against any person who violates any provision of this chapter: (a) Issuance of a warning letter that relates to the class of the violation. (b) Imposition of an administrative fine: 1. In the Class II category pursuant to s. 570.971 for each violation in the case of a frozen dessert licensee; or 2. In the Class I category pursuant to s. 570.971 for each occurrence for any other violation. When imposing a fine under this paragraph, the department must consider the degree and extent of harm caused by the violation, the cost of rectifying the damage, the benefit to the violator, whether the violation was committed willfully, and the violator’s compliance record. (c) Revocation or suspension of any permit issued by the department under this chapter. (2) A person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (3) The circuit courts of this state may enjoin a violation on complaint of the department. The injunction shall issue without bond. (4) Milk and milk product producers and handlers are subject to s. 500.172 and this section.

F.S. 502.232 Local regulations superseded.

All special or local acts, general laws of limited application, county ordinances or resolutions, municipal ordinances or resolutions, and municipal charter provisions that authorize the regulation of milk or milk products, or frozen desserts for wholesale, are superseded by this chapter and the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter.

Source: FL Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter502/AllFetched: 7/8/2026