The Food and Dairy division within the The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development administers licenses all raw milk processing plants in Michigan.

New! Applications for these tasks are submitted and paid for online through the Michigan Business One Stop portal.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

Grade A Dairy Plant license allows for the processing of Grade A dairy products, which include, but are not limited to, bottled (fluid) milk, yogurt, powdered milk. Manufacturing Dairy Plant license allows for the processing of Manufacturing dairy products, which include, but are not limited to, cheese, powdered milk, ice cream and anything that may not fall under the Grade A product.

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

• [PA 266] 2001 Grade A Milk Law as amended.
• [PA 267] 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law as amended.
• Pasteurized Milk Ordinance of 2007 Pasteurized Milk Ordinance of 2007.

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

2001 PA 266 2001 Grade A Milk Law as amended Article III [288.500 Sec. 30] and 2001 PA 267. 2001 Manufacturing Milk Law as amended Article II [288.670 Sec. 110].

D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

Processing milk or milk products into any Grade A or Manufacturing products within the state the facility is required to have a Grade A milk plant license or Manufacturing dairy plant license, regardless of the size of the plant of the volume of the products.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

• Contact the inspector in your area.
• Provide blueprints, drawings and type(s) of products that are going to be produced.
• Schedule a meeting with the inspector to discuss the requirements and timeline.
• Contact the Lab Evaluation Officer to discuss the approved test and testing requirements.
• Contact the Pastuerization specialist for pastuerization approval and testing requirements.
• Contact the Lansing Office for Producer Security requirements.
• Contact the Label Specialist for labeling requirements.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

Application should be submitted with payment in full at the time of the final inspection.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

• Contact the inspector in your area.
• Labels must be approved.
• Lab Evaluation must be completed.
• Pastuerization testing must be completed.
• Producer security agreements must be completed.
• Fill out the appropiate application(s).
• Final Inspection will be completed by the inspector.

Time-frame varies with contractors, builders, plumbers and inspectors.

 5.  Operational Requirements

• See the Pasteurized Milk Ordience of 2007 for Grade A Plants.
• See the [Grade A Milk Law] for Grade A plants.
• See the [Manufacturing Milk Law] for Manufacturing plants.
• Maintaining compliance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordience, Grade A Milk Law and/or the Manufacturing Milk Law.

 6.  Fees

• Grade A milk plant license is $175, plus $15 for each farm that does not have a certified industry field person or $5 for each farm that does utilize a certified field person, annually.
• Manufacturing Dairy plant license is $50, this license is renewed annually.

 7.  Appeal Process

Contact the Lansing Office.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

E. Contact Information:

Contact Us

Creation/Revision Date:

09/01/2010