Section 775.115 Certified Pasteurizer Sealer Program

The Department will authorize milk plant personnel to test and temporarily seal pasteurization equipment, provided that the conditions in Item 16p.(D), Pasteurization Records, Equipment Tests and Examinations, 2. Equipment Tests and Examinations, of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and the provisions of this Section are met. All milk plants with pasteurization equipment shall have one certified pasteurizer sealer by July 1, 2015.

a) The applicant shall contact the Department Regional Office responsible for the oversight of the milk plant where the applicant is employed (i.e., the appropriate Regional Office). The application for a certified pasteurizer sealer permit shall consist of the following:

1) The name and address of the applicant;

2) The location of the milk plant where the applicant is employed; and

3) The type of pasteurization equipment that the applicant is applying to be certified to test and seal, in accordance with PMO Item 16p.(D).

b) Training, Examination and Evaluation Procedures

1) The certified pasteurizer sealer examination and evaluation shall consist of a training course and both a written examination and practical evaluation of testing and sealing pasteurization equipment as referenced in Appendix I of the PMO.

2) Training

A) Prior to taking the certified pasteurizer sealer written examination, the applicant shall attend a certified pasteurizer sealer training course approved and conducted by the Department.

B) The training shall be a minimum of eight hours in length, including an examination.

C) The Department will approve the training course based on the following criteria for course content:

i) Instruction on purpose and methodology for pasteurization equipment testing;

ii) Review of pasteurization and PMO Appendix I;

iii) Overview of requirements for testing of pasteurization equipment;

iv) Evaluation of definitions of processes used in pasteurization and explanation of components and instrumentation;

v) Analysis of flow diagrams and discussion of safe systems operation guidelines and importance; and

vi) Assessment of adjustments of each access point on the pasteurization equipment.

3) Written Examination

A) The written examination shall be administered at the appropriate Regional Office or at a location designated by the Department.

B) The minimum passing score for the written examination shall be 80%. If the applicant passes the examination, the Department will issue a training and examination certificate enabling the applicant to then complete the practical exam.

C) If the applicant fails the written examination, the Department will send a letter of failure. Once the applicant receives the letter of failure, the applicant shall contact the appropriate Regional Office to schedule to retake the examination.

D) The applicant shall be allowed to retake the examination twice in a six month time period from the date of the applicant's receipt of the letter of failure. The applicant shall not be allowed to retake the examination on the same day that the applicant fails the examination.

4) Practical Evaluation

A) The practical evaluation will be administered after the applicant has completed the Department-approved training course and passed the written examination. The Department will provide a copy of the certified pasteurizer sealer training course certificate and written examination to the appropriate Regional Office, with which the applicant shall schedule the practical evaluation.

B) The practical evaluation will be administered on the pasteurization equipment at the milk plant where the applicant is employed and will be evaluated by the Department.

C) The practical evaluation will take place when the Department performs the quarterly pasteurizer equipment checks on each pasteurization system at the milk plant or plants where the applicant is employed.

D) The applicant shall demonstrate proficiency in all pasteurization control test procedures.

E) If the applicant passes the practical evaluation, the Department will issue a certified pasteurizer sealer permit.

F) If the applicant fails the practical evaluation, the Department will issue a letter of failure.

G) Once the applicant receives the letter of failure, the applicant shall contact the appropriate Regional Office to re-schedule a practical evaluation. The Department shall present the letter of failure to the appropriate Regional Office sanitarian in order to retake the practical evaluation.

H) The applicant shall be allowed to retake the practical evaluation twice in a six month time period from the date of the applicant's receipt of the letter of failure.

I) If the milk plant where the certified pasteurizer sealer is employed obtains a new pasteurizer, the certified pasteurizer sealer must pass a practical test on that new equipment to be approved to seal. Upon successful completion of the practical, the new equipment will be added to the certified pasteurizer sealer's permit.

J) The applicant shall be required to take the practical evaluation every 12 months to receive a renewed certified pasteurizer sealer permit.

c) Issuance of a Certified Pasteurizer Sealer Permit

1) Thepermit shall be valid only to the person to whom it is issued and shall not be subject to transfer.

2) The permit shall be issued to an applicant who has attended a minimum eight hour training course, passed the written examination and demonstrated proficiency in all pasteurization control test procedures.

3) The permit will list all of the pasteurization equipment that the applicant was certified to test and reseal.

4) The permit will expire on December 31 of each year. For applicants who receive their permits after September 1, the permit will expire on December 31 of the following year.

5) The initial permit and subsequent renewal permits will be issued upon completion of an annual practical and payment of a $100 fee.

(Source: Added at 39 Ill. Reg. 420, effective December 19, 2014)