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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 10.15.08.02" title_num="10" subtitle_num="15" chapter_num="08" heading="Definitions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Aging of cheese” means the storing and maturing of cheese under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Aging period” means the aging of raw milk cheese for at least 60 calendar days at a temperature of not less than 35°F.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Aging room” means the area where the aging of cheese takes place.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Dairy farm” means a place or premises:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Where one or more lactating animals, including cows, goats, sheep, water buffaloes, or other hooved mammals, are kept for milking purposes; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>From which the milk is sold or offered for sale.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>“Department” means the Maryland Department of Health.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>“Departmental inspection area” means the area in which the Department routinely makes inspections under Health-General Article, Title 21, Subtitle 4, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>“Drug residue” means a substance that prevents the growth of bacteria in milk products.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>“Farmstead cheese” means a cheese made on a dairy farm:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Using only the raw milk produced by the herd or flock on the dairy farm; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>That meets the definitions and standards of a hard cheese, as set forth in 21 CFR Part 133.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>“Industry plant sampler” means:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An individual responsible for the collection of official samples for regulatory purposes at a plant as outlined in the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Appendix N; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An employee of the plant who is evaluated a least once every 2-year period by a sampling surveillance officer or a properly delegated sampling surveillance official.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>“Milk” means the milk of a cow, goat, or other hooved mammals.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>“Official laboratory” means a laboratory that is a biological, chemical, or physical laboratory, which is under the direct supervision of the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>“Officially designated laboratory” means a laboratory that is a:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Commercial laboratory authorized to do official work by the Department; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Milk industry laboratory officially designated by the Department for the examination of producer samples of raw milk for drug residue.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>“Plant” means any place, premise, or establishment where milk or milk products are collected, handled, processed, stored, packaged or otherwise prepared for distribution as a farmstead cheese.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>“Raw milk” means unpasteurized milk.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(15)">
      <text>“Sanitation inspection” means an evaluation of the milk plant and associated processes in accordance with this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(16)">
      <text>“Sanitization” means:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The application of any effective method or substance to properly clean surfaces for the destruction of pathogens and other microorganisms, as far as is practicable; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A treatment that:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Does not adversely affect the equipment, the milk, milk product, or the health of consumers; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Is acceptable to the Department.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>