Food and Agricultural Code section 34001

Pasteurization of milk or a milk product is a process which consists of one of the following:

(a)

Uniformly heating milk or a milk product to a temperature of not less than 145 degrees Fahrenheit and of holding it at such temperature for at least 30 minutes, except a milk product which has a higher fat content than milk, or contains added sweeteners, or both, shall be heated to at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit and held at or above this temperature for at least 30 consecutive minutes.

(b)

Uniformly heating milk or a milk product to a temperature of at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit and holding it at such temperature for at least 15 seconds, except a milk product which has a higher fat content than milk, or contains added sweeteners, or both, shall be heated to at least 166 degrees Fahrenheit and held at or above this temperature for at least 15 consecutive seconds.
Each such type of heating shall be conducted in approved and properly operated equipment. The milk or milk product shall be immediately cooled to a temperature of not above 50 degrees Fahrenheit after the completion of either of such heatings.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting any other process which has been demonstrated to be equally efficient and is approved by the director.

Source: Section 34001, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=FAC§ionNum=34001.­ (accessed May 12, 2025).

Last Updated

May 12, 2025

§ 34001’s source at ca​.gov