Dairy and Milk Inspection Program

 

Tulare County Environmental Health Dairy and Milk Inspection Program provides services to dairies in Tulare and Kings Counties.  The program is overseen by the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture, Division of Animal Industry, Milk and Dairy Foods Control branch.  Our registered dairy inspectors are responsible for inspecting the dairies and associated facilities to ensure the quality of the raw milk. 

Tulare County is the largest producer of fluid milk in the nation and  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.   The Environmental Health Services Division's Dairy and Milk Inspection Program  maintains jurisdiction, under the State Food and Agriculture Code, as 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.  Inspection of facilities and routine sampling of milk and other dairy products ensure that quality standards for continued excellence pertaining to the biannual interstate milk shippers certification are maintained.

Tulare and Kings Counties comprise the largest fluid milk producing region in the nation and dairy inspection staff constantly keep abreast of the latest changes and innovations in rules and regulations within the ever-expanding dairy industry.  The Dairy and Milk Inspection Program ensures that inspection staff and administration are up to date regarding technological and regulatory processes within the industry. 

Questions or concerns regarding the processing of raw milk associated with a finished product, i.e., fluid milk, cheese, butter, should be directed to the State Department of Food and Agriculture.

Questions or concerns regarding wastewater generated from the animals at dairies or milk processing facilities should be directed to the California, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.