21 CFR 1240.
61 (up to date as of 1/11/2023)
21 CFR 1240.61
Mandatory pasteurization for all milk and milk products in fi...
This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.
Title 21 - Food and Drugs
Chapter I - Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
Subchapter L - Regulations Under Certain Other Acts Administered by the Food and Drug
Administration
Part 1240 - Control of Communicable Diseases
Subpart D - Specific Administrative Decisions Regarding Interstate Shipments
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 216, 243, 264, 271.
Source: 40 FR 5620, Feb. 6, 1975, unless otherwise noted.
§ 1240.61 Mandatory pasteurization for all milk and milk products in final package form
intended for direct human consumption.
(a) No person shall cause to be delivered into interstate commerce or shall sell, otherwise distribute, or hold
for sale or other distribution after shipment in interstate commerce any milk or milk product in final
package form for direct human consumption unless the product has been pasteurized or is made from
dairy ingredients (milk or milk products) that have all been pasteurized, except where alternative
procedures to pasteurization are provided for by regulation, such as in part 133 of this chapter for curing
of certain cheese varieties.
(b) Except as provided in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, the terms “pasteurization,” “pasteurized,” and
similar terms shall mean the process of heating every particle of milk and milk product in properly
designed and operated equipment to one of the temperatures given in the following table and held
continuously at or above that temperature for at least the corresponding specified time:
Temperature Time
145 °F (63 °C)1 30 minutes.
161 °F (72 °C)1 15 seconds.
191 °F (89 °C) 1 second.
1If the fat content of the milk product is 10 percent or more, or if it contains added sweeteners, the
specified temperature shall be increased by 5 °F (3 °C).
Temperature Time
194 °F (90 °C) 0.5 second.
201 °F (94 °C) 0.1 second.
204 °F (96 °C) 0.05 second.
212 °F (100 °C) 0.01 second.
(c) Eggnog shall be heated to at least the following temperature and time specification:
Temperature Time
155 °F (69 °C) 30 minutes.
175 °F (80 °C) 25 seconds.
21 CFR 1240.61(c) (enhanced display) page 1 of 2
21 CFR 1240.61 (up to date as of 1/11/2023)
21 CFR 1240.61(d)
Mandatory pasteurization for all milk and milk products in fi...
Temperature Time
180 °F (83 °C) 15 seconds.
(d) Neither paragraph (b) nor (c) of this section shall be construed as barring any other pasteurization
process that has been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration to be equally efficient in the
destruction of microbial organisms of public health significance.
[52 FR 29514, Aug. 10, 1987, as amended at 57 FR 57344, Dec. 4, 1992]
21 CFR 1240.61(d) (enhanced display) page 2 of 2
