1. (a) The permitting of milk transport tanks. Each individual milk transport tank used to transport Grade A milk or milk products to or from a dairy farm, milk plant or receiving station will be permitted by the department.

2. (b) Labeling of milk transport tanks.

   1. (1) The permit number will be placed on both sides of the milk transport tank or on both skirts. The numbers must be a minimum of three inches in height. These numbers must be legible.
   2. (2) The name and address of the hauler must also be placed on the skirts or the sides of the transport tank in a manner which is legible. The letters must be a minimum of three inches in height.

3. (c) The inspection of milk transport tanks.

   1. (1) The milk transport tank must be inspected prior to the issuance of a permit and a minimum of once each 12 months thereafter.
   2. (2) The owner or manager of the transportation company will report to the department within 10 days any milk transport tanks taken out of service or severely damaged.

4. (d) Operations of milk transport tanks. Transport tanks used for hauling Grade A raw milk must be operated in compliance with the following provisions.

   1. (1) Permanently installed milk transport tank washing equipment must be in compliance with the current edition of the 3-A Sanitary Standards at the time of installation and be approved by the department. This equipment shall be so designed that it will properly clean and sanitize when connected to a cleaning system capable of providing 140 gallons of solution per minute at 50 pounds of pressure per square inch at the pump head.
   2. (2) Each transport tank used to pick up bulk milk shall be provided with a tight and well insulated service cabinet. The inner surface of the cabinet shall be of stainless steel construction. The cabinet shall be of sufficient size and so constructed as to provide adequate space, without overcrowding, for fittings, valves, milk pumps, racks for milk conducting equipment wrenches, sample bottles, dippers, solutions for washing and sanitizing milk contact equipment, and all other equipment used for milk handling purposes.
   3. (3) When compartment transport tanks are used, Grade A milk shall not be permitted to be hauled in one compartment while ungraded milk or another product is being hauled in another compartment on the same tanker.
   4. (4) Agitating and sampling transport tank milk shall be accomplished in such a manner as to provided maximum protection against product contamination. In no instance shall this be done at a place other than an approved unloading station.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.23 adopted to be effective October 16, 1986, 11 TexReg 4156.