State Approval of Milk-Testing Laboratories

PURPOSE: Laboratories that perform examinations of milk re quired by the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and by the cooperative State-United States Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration Program for Certification of Interstate Milk Shippers must be approved by the State Milk Board, which is the official agency for approval of milk-testing laboratories. This rule establishes up-to-date minimum requirements for labora tory approval, using the current recommendations of the federal Food and Drug Administration and the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The secretary of state has determined that publication of the entire text of the material that is incorporated by reference as a portion of this rule would be unduly cumbersome or expensive. This material as incorporated by reference in this rule shall be maintained by the agency at its headquarters and shall be made available to the public for inspection and copying at no more than the actual cost of reproduction. This note applies only to the reference material. The entire text of the rule is printed here. (1) The Missouri State Milk Board incorporates by reference the Evaluation of Milk Laboratories (EML), 2023 revision, published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration Laboratory Proficiency Evaluation Team (FDA/LPET) and the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993, www. gmppublications.com. The EML provides the procedures for the evaluation of milk laboratories required to meet the sanitation standards of the current edition of the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions to this publication. (2) Application for evaluation and approval of a laboratory must be made to the Missouri State Milk Board or its designee by the director of the applying laboratory. To be eligible for evaluation, a laboratory must routinely analyze samples for either interstate or intrastate milk shippers. (3) To be eligible for approval, a laboratory must be in substantial compliance with the United States Public Health Service/Food and Drug Administration’s Evaluation of Milk Laboratories and official Milk Laboratory Evaluation Forms (NCIMS-2400 series). (4) An on-site evaluation of the applying laboratory shall be made by the state milk laboratory evaluation officer for a review of facilities, equipment, materials, procedures, test results, and records. The evaluation shall be made using the official Milk Laboratory Evaluation Forms (NCIMS-2400 series). The evaluation officer shall determine whether the laboratory techniques of analysts of the applying laboratory are in compliance with the procedures as described on the official Milk Laboratory Evaluation Forms (NCIMS-2400 series). An onsite evaluation to determine compliance of a laboratory shall be made at least every two (2) years. (5) Analysts must participate at least annually in the examination of split samples for those specific procedures for which they are certified or approved. Failure without cause to participate in this annual proficiency testing program or failure to meet established performance criteria will result in an analyst being placed on provisional certified or approved status. Failure of analysts on provisional certified or approved status to participate in the examination of split samples or to meet satisfactory performance levels on the next set of split samples will result in withdrawal of certification or approval. (6) An analyst who has lost certification or approval must participate in a training program acceptable to the state milk laboratory evaluation officer before requesting recertification. (7) The Missouri State Milk Board shall issue a certificate of approval to each official laboratory and officially designated laboratory which has been approved. The certificate shall be returned to the Missouri State Milk Board upon expiration or revocation. (8) Approval of a laboratory may be revoked or suspended for failure to successfully participate in the proficiency testing program as described in section (5) of this rule, for lack of certified or approved analysts, for changes in quarters, personnel, equipment, or supplies, which result in procedures and practices not in compliance with Evaluation of Milk Laboratories or for other reasons. AUTHORITY: section 196.540, RSMo 2016.* Original rule filed Oct. 28, 2025, effective May 30, 2026. *Original authority: 196.540, RSMo 1981, amended 1993, 1995.