Milk Regulations Revisions Public Hearing
The Food Program presented the Notice of Final Regulation (NFR) at the DHEC Board meeting and Public Hearing on March 11, 2021.
At the conclusion of the Public Hearing, the DHEC board found for the need and reasonableness of the Notice of Final Regulation and gave approval for the NFR to be presented to the legislature for review, consideration, and action. The proposed regulation revisions were submitted to the legislature on March 17, 2021.
The progress of the proposed regulations through the legislative process can be tracked on the SC Legislature website at: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/.
Regulation 61-34.1, Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products
The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is proposing revisions to Regulation 61-34.1, Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products.
The revisions are designed to create consistency with the Food & Drug Administration's 2019 Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and to align permitting and enforcement sections with other DHEC food safety regulations. A draft copy of the regulation with proposed revisions is available below:
To ensure our valued stakeholders are able to provide input and are informed about the proposed changes, virtual informational meetings were held with online and phone access to provide interested persons the ability to participate remotely. During the meetings, Department staff discussed proposed changes and encouraged stakeholder input. These meetings also served as a time for stakeholders to ask the Department questions about the proposed revisions. Establishing and fostering partnerships with our valued stakeholders is important to us, and we appreciate your input and support.
Information made available to meeting participants and a recordings of each meetings can be found below:
- R.61-34.1, Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products Fall Forum 2020 (December 7, 2020) - Virtual Stakeholder Meeting Recording and DHEC Presentation (pdf)
- R.61-34.1, Pasteurized Milk and Milk Products Winter Forum 2021 (February 12, 2021) - Virtual Stakeholder Meeting Recording and DHEC Presentation (pdf)
Regulation 61-34, Raw Milk for Human Consumption
DHEC is proposing revisions to Regulation 61-34, Raw Milk for Human Consumption.
The purpose of the revisions is to update and streamline the regulation to be more inclusive and to provide for the regulation of raw milk products, buttermilk, and cream. The regulation updates will also eliminate unnecessary sections that do not apply to raw milk production. A draft copy of the regulation with proposed revisions is available below:
To ensure our valued stakeholders are able to provide input and are informed about the proposed changes, virtual informational meetings were held with online and phone access to provide interested persons the ability to participate remotely. During the meetings, Department staff discussed proposed changes and encouraged stakeholder input. These meetings also served as a time for stakeholders to ask the Department questions about the proposed revisions. Establishing and fostering partnerships with our valued stakeholders is important to us, and we appreciate your input and support.
Information made available to meeting participants and a recordings of each meeting can be found below:
- R.61-34, Raw Milk for Human Consumption Fall Forum 2020 (December 7, 2020) - Virtual Stakeholder Meeting Recording and DHEC Presentation (pdf)
- • R.61-34, Raw Milk for Human Consumption Winter Forum 2021 (February 12, 2021) - Virtual Stakeholder Meeting Recording and DHEC Presentation (pdf)
Timeline for Both Revisions
| December 7, 2020 | Virtual Stakeholder Meetings |
| January 7, 2021 | Notice of Proposed Regulation to DHEC Board |
| January 22, 2021 | Published in the State Register - Opening Comment Period |
| February 12, 2021 | Additional Virtual Stakeholder Meetings |
| February 22, 2021 | Public Comment Period Closed and Final Regulation Proposal developed addressing any comments |
| March 11, 2021 | Notice of Final Regulation presented to DHEC Board/Public Hearing |
| Mid-March 2021 | Send to Legislature for Review |
Please feel free to email us at Dairy@dhec.sc.gov, if you have any questions. You can also reach us by phone at (803) 896-0640.