DAIRY INSPECTIONS

Does Environmental Health provide Dairy inspections?

The Environmental Health Services Division serves as the approved Milk Inspection Service for Tulare and Kings counties.

Tulare County is the largest producer of fluid milk in the nation. Kings County is the 5th largest producer of fluid milk in the nation. Together these two counties produce over a billion pounds of fluid milk every month.

What are the responsibilities of the Dairy Inspection Program?

Under the State Food and Agriculture Code the Environmental Health Services Division maintains jurisdiction for the approved Milk Inspection Service for Tulare and Kings Counties. By agreement, inspections are provided for cow and goat dairies, as well as for the manufacture of soft serve ice cream. Inspections and routine sampling ensure that the Environmental Health Services Division maintains the required quality standards for continued excellence as pertaining to the biannual interstate milk shippers certification.

Are staff aware of the latest changes in the industry?

Because Tulare and Kings Counties comprise the largest fluid milk producing region in the nation, the dairy inspection staff are constantly being kept abreast of the latest changes and innovations with regard to the ever-expanding dairy industry. Changes in rules and regulations to address the constantly changing needs of an innovation-driven industry require that the inspection staff and administration be "on the ball" with regard to changes in technology as well as to the regulatory process.