Pennsylvania Laboratory Evaluation Program

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​​.

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. The PA Approved Dairy Director Examinations will be distributed electronically on an as needed basis.

The examination is comprised of eight (8) total sections:
1) Sampling, 2) Cultural Procedures, 3) Standard Plate Count [Agar &/or Petrifilm], 4) Coliform Count [Agar &/or Petrifilm], 5) Delvo, 6) Somatic Cell Count [DMSCC & /or ESCC], 7) Appendix N [all assays], 8) Phosphatase test [Charm Paslite, Charm F-AP, &/or Fluorophos]

A twenty dollar ($20.00) fee is assessed to each section of the examination.  At minimum, all candidates must take "Sampling" and "Cultural Procedures" and may register for additional sections as desired.  The exams are open book, any reference and/or study material may be utilized.  However, each candidate must complete the exam independently without assistance from others.

To register, complete the registration form and submit payment in the form of a check made payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" to the below address:

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services

ATTN: Phillip Harchack

2301 North Cameron Street

Harrisburg, PA 17110

 
Upon successful completion of the Dairy Lab Director exam, a certificate will be issued by the Department.

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.

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.

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.