Chapter 917 | Dairy Products

Section 917.01 | Dairy product definitions.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Person" means any individual, government agency, political subdivision, partnership, corporation, association, co-operative association, or other business unit.

(B) "Co-operative association" or "agricultural cooperative association" means any agricultural cooperative organized under Chapter 1729. of the Revised Code and qualified to do business in this state if the director of agriculture finds the association has, in good faith, its entire activities under the control of its members and has been and is exercising full authority in the sale of milk or cream for its members.

(C) "Market area" means any area that the director finds is a natural marketing area and designates as such.

(D) "Dealer" or "milk dealer" means a person who purchases or receives milk from a producer for the purpose of bottling, packaging, selling, processing, jobbing, brokering, or distributing the milk except where the milk is disposed of in the same container in which it is received, without removal from the container and without processing in any way except by necessary refrigeration. Any person who buys and distributes milk in containers under the person's own label is a dealer.

(E) "Imitation" means imitation as described in 21 C.F.R. 101.3, as amended.

(F) "Milk" means the lacteal secretion, substantially free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows, goats, sheep, or other animals and intended for either of the following purposes:

(1) To be sold for human consumption or for use in dairy products;

(2) To be used for human consumption or for use in dairy products on the premises of a governmental agency or institution.

"Milk" does not include a blend of the lacteal secretions of different species.

(G) "Grade A milk" means milk produced by a person holding a valid producer license of the grade A milk category issued pursuant to section 917.09 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Manufacture milk" means milk produced by a person holding a valid producer license of the manufacture milk category issued pursuant to section 917.09 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Producer" or "milk producer" means a grade A milk producer or a manufacture milk producer.

(J) "Grade A milk producer" means a person located in this state who sells or offers for sale grade A milk obtained from a cow, goat, sheep, or other animal that the person owns or controls.

(K) "Manufacture milk producer" means a person located in this state who sells or offers for sale manufacture milk obtained from a cow, goat, sheep, or other animal that the person owns or controls.

(L) "Grade A milk products" means products derived from grade A milk and having the standard of identity, quality, strength, purity, grade, and, if added, permitted optional ingredients found in the standards of identity established for the products in rules adopted by the director under section 917.02 or 3715.02 of the Revised Code, and includes:

(1) Cottage cheese;

(2) Raw, pasteurized, or aseptically processed products derived from milk and described in either of the following:

(a) The most recent published recommendations of the food and drug administration, public health service, United States department of health and human services;

(b) Rules adopted by the director.

(M) "Manufactured milk products" means all products, other than raw milk for sale to the ultimate consumer and grade A milk products, that are derived from milk and are for human consumption, including:

(1) Butter;

(2) Natural or processed cheese;

(3) Evaporated, condensed, and dry products;

(4) Frozen desserts;

(5) Such other products derived from milk as the director may specify by rule that have the standard of identity, quality, strength, purity, grade, and, if added, permitted optional ingredients found in the standards of identity established for the product in rules adopted by the director under section 917.02 or 3715.02 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Dairy products" means milk, raw milk for sale to the ultimate consumer, grade A milk products, and manufactured milk products.

(O) "Frozen desserts" means frozen desserts, including the mixes, described in 21 C.F.R. 135, as amended, unless otherwise specified by the director by rule.

(P) "Milk plant" means a grade A milk plant or manufacture milk plant.

(Q) "Grade A milk plant" means a place, including a governmental operation, where grade A milk or a grade A milk product is collected, handled, controlled, processed, stored, pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, repasteurized, aseptically processed, bottled, or prepared for distribution, but does not include a place where a grade A milk product is purchased in packaged form and is stored and handled for the sole purpose of sale to the ultimate consumer.

(R) "Manufacture milk plant" means a place, including a governmental operation, where manufacture milk or a manufactured milk product is collected, handled, controlled, manufactured, processed, stored, pasteurized, ultra-pasteurized, repasteurized, commercially sterilized, aseptically processed, bottled, or prepared for distribution, but does not include a place where a manufactured milk product is purchased in packaged form and is stored and handled for the sole purpose of sale to the ultimate consumer.

(S) "Raw milk for sale to the ultimate consumer" means the raw milk sold or offered for sale by a raw milk retailer.

(T) "Raw milk retailer" means a person who, prior to October 31, 1965, was engaged continuously in the business of selling or offering for sale raw milk directly to ultimate consumers.

(U) "Processor" or "milk processor" means a grade A milk processor or a manufacture milk processor.

(V) "Grade A milk processor" means a person who operates or controls a milk plant, transfer station, receiving station, or milk transport cleaning facility that is located in this state or from which grade A milk or grade A milk products are sold or offered for sale for human consumption, as applicable.

(W) "Manufacture milk processor" means any person who operates or controls a manufacture milk plant, transfer station, receiving station, or milk transport cleaning facility that is located in this state or from which manufacture milk or manufactured milk products are sold or offered for sale for human consumption, as applicable.

(X) "Weigher, sampler, or tester" means a person who, in order to determine volume, weight, or composition for the purpose of determining price, weighs, tests, or samples either of the following:

(1) Milk at a dairy farm;

(2) Milk or cream purchased by a dealer from a milk producer or co-operative association.

(Y) "Hauler" or "milk hauler" means a person who owns or leases a vehicle or conveyance used to transport raw milk, but does not include a producer transporting raw milk that the producer has produced.

(Z) "License" means a license issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code and includes a registration issued under division (J) of that section.

Section 917.02 | Director of agriculture - powers and duties.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

(A) The director of agriculture may do any of the following:

(1) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code regulating all of the following:

(a) The sanitary production, storage, transportation, manufacturing, handling, processing, sampling, testing, examination, and sale of dairy products;

(b) The suspension and revocation of licenses issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code, provided that the rules are in accordance with and do not conflict with section 917.22 of the Revised Code;

(c) Terms and renewal periods, registration requirements, categories, and fees for licenses issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code, except that the fee for a producer's license shall not exceed fifteen dollars;

(d) Examinations that must be passed prior to issuance of a weigher, sampler, or tester license and inspections that must be passed prior to issuance of any other type of license issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code;

(e) Procedures for issuing and renewing licenses under section 917.09 of the Revised Code;

(f) Information that an applicant for a license issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code is required to provide on the application for licensure;

(g) Standards for equipment or materials used for the production, processing, and handling of dairy products;

(h) Records to be kept by persons holding a license issued under this chapter and the inspection and auditing of books and records of those persons, and any other records that are required to be kept by other rules adopted under this section;

(i) Security arrangements and evidence of financial responsibility for milk dealers, to ensure prompt payment to milk producers;

(j) Standards of identity, quality, strength, purity, grading, and labeling of dairy products;

(k) The production, processing, and handling of dairy products and the prompt and accurate payment for milk and cream by milk dealers, but not the establishment or control of the price of milk and cream;

(l) Criteria for the equipment, methods, or materials to be used in performing weighing, volumetric measuring, sampling, and testing of milk and its components when such an operation is used as the basis for determining payment for milk delivered to or purchased by dealers;

(m) The size and placement of labels and of words on labels required by section 917.04 of the Revised Code to be placed on final delivery containers used for the sale of raw milk to ultimate consumers.

The director shall have exclusive authority to administer and enforce rules adopted under division (A)(1) of this section.

(2) Enter into, with the approval of the milk sanitation board created in section 917.03 of the Revised Code, an agreement with a public or private entity that the director determines is properly qualified for the performance of any of the inspections and analyses required by this chapter;

(3) Adopt rules by reference to all or any part of the following recommendations:

(a) The grade A pasteurized milk ordinance, as amended, and the "grade A condensed and dry milk products and condensed and dry whey" supplement I to the grade A pasteurized milk ordinance of the food and drug administration, public health service, of the United States department of health and human services, to the extent those provisions do not conflict with the laws of this state;

(b) The most recent recommendations for milk for manufacturing purposes and its production and processing published in final form in the Federal Register by the United States department of agriculture, to the extent those recommendations do not conflict with the laws of this state.

(4) Administer and enforce this chapter and rules adopted under it and appoint inspectors and other personnel necessary to carry out this chapter and those rules;

(5) Embargo a dairy product that the director reasonably suspects, believes, or determines is adulterated as described in section 3715.59 of the Revised Code or is misbranded as described in section 3715.60 of the Revised Code;

(6) Adopt by reference all or any part of the rules governing the dairy industry adopted by the United States food and drug administration and the United States department of agriculture;

(7) Annually, not later than ninety days after the end of the state fiscal year, determine the expense of administering and enforcing this chapter and rules adopted under it during the preceding state fiscal year and report the determinations to the milk sanitation board.

(B) The director shall do both of the following:

(1) Adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing requirements for continuing education courses for weighers, samplers, and testers licensed under section 917.09 of the Revised Code;

(2) Review continuing education courses for weighers, samplers, and testers licensed under section 917.09 of the Revised Code and grant approval to those that meet the requirements established in rules adopted under division (B)(1) of this section.

Section 917.03 | Milk sanitation board.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

There is hereby created a milk sanitation board consisting of the director of agriculture or the director's authorized representative, the director of health or the director's authorized representative, and the following members to be appointed by the director of agriculture:

(A) Two grade A milk producers;

(B) One manufacture milk producer;

(C) Three milk processors, one of whom shall be a grade A milk processor and one of whom shall be a manufacture milk processor;

(D) One milk hauler.

The three members who are milk producers shall not be members or representatives of the same co-operative association.

The director of agriculture or the director's authorized representative shall serve as chairperson of the board.

Before making the appointments to the board required under this section, the director of agriculture shall consult the respective statewide trade organizations that represent grade A milk producers, manufacture milk producers, milk processors, and milk haulers.

Of the initial appointments, one grade A milk producer, one milk processor, and the milk hauler shall serve for a term ending December 31, 1998, one grade A milk producer and the manufacture milk processor shall serve for a term ending December 31, 1999, and the manufacture milk producer and a grade A milk processor shall serve for a term ending December 31, 2000. Thereafter, members shall serve three-year terms that expire on the thirty-first day of December.

Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term. A member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until the member's successor takes office or a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. A member shall continue in office for the entirety of the member's term unless removed for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.

The director shall provide the board with the personnel, office space, and incidentals necessary for it to perform its duties and exercise its powers. Members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Appointed members shall receive compensation in an amount determined pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code.

Section 917.031 | Authority of milk sanitation board.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

The milk sanitation board may do all of the following:

(A) Advise and consult with the director of agriculture in the administration and enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(B) Make recommendations to the director regarding proposed rules;

(C) Approve or disapprove agreements between the director and any public or private entity desiring to perform or performing any of the inspections or analyses required under this chapter and rules adopted under it.

The milk sanitation board, after reviewing the director's annual report required under division (A)(7) of section 917.02 of the Revised Code, shall prescribe inspection fees for milk processors, and may prescribe inspection fees for milk producers and milk haulers. The board may modify any fees it has prescribed. The fees prescribed or modified by the board together with the license fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed sixty-three per cent of the estimated cost of administering and enforcing this chapter, as determined by the board's review of the director's annual report.

Section 917.032 | Subcommittees.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

The milk sanitation board shall create three standing subcommittees and may create other subcommittees consisting of board members or nonmembers to review and consider any issue relevant to this chapter and to report findings and make recommendations to the board. Each of the three standing subcommittees shall consist of eight members. One standing subcommittee shall represent grade A milk production and processing, one shall represent manufacture milk production and manufacturing, and one shall represent frozen dessert manufacturing.

The director of agriculture shall appoint members of the three standing subcommittees after consulting with statewide trade organizations representing grade A milk producers and processors, manufacture milk producers and manufacturers, and frozen dessert manufacturers, respectively. The director shall appoint at least one member of the milk sanitation board to serve on each standing subcommittee, and the director or the director's authorized representative shall appoint at least one member of the milk sanitation board to serve on each other subcommittee. The director shall appoint all other members of standing subcommittees, and the director or the director's authorized representative shall appoint all other members of the other subcommittees. The director shall determine the length of the term of office of each member of a standing subcommittee or other subcommittee and may remove a member for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance.

A standing subcommittee or any other subcommittee may do all of the following:

(A) Advise and consult with the milk sanitation board in the administration and enforcement of this chapter and rules adopted under it;

(B) Make recommendations to the milk sanitation board regarding proposed rules;

(C) Approve or disapprove agreements between the director and any private or public entity desiring to perform or performing any of the inspections or analyses required under this chapter and rules adopted under it.

Section 917.04 | Sales of and labeling for raw milk.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

No raw milk retailer shall sell, offer for sale, or expose for sale raw milk to the ultimate consumer except a raw milk retailer who, prior to October 31, 1965, was engaged continuously in the business of selling or offering for sale raw milk directly to ultimate consumers, holds a valid raw milk retailer license issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code, and is subject to the rules regulating the sale of raw milk adopted under this chapter.

No person shall fail to label, in accordance with rules adopted by the director of agriculture under section 917.02 of the Revised Code, all final delivery containers used for the sale of raw milk to ultimate consumers with the words "this product has not been pasteurized and may contain disease producing organisms."

Section 917.05 | Prohibited acts.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

No person shall do any of the following or cause any of the following to be done:

(A) Represent an imitation to be a dairy product;

(B) Use a measure, test, or equipment, for the purpose of determining the identity, quality, strength, purity, grade, quantity, or price of a dairy product, that does not comply with standards established by the director of agriculture by rule;

(C) Conduct a test to determine the identity, quality, strength, purity, grade, quantity, or price of a dairy product in a manner that is not in accordance with rules adopted by the director;

(D) Alter or destroy the results of a test conducted to determine the identity, quality, strength, purity, grade, quantity, or price of a dairy product;

(E) Manufacture, sell, or deliver, hold, or offer for sale a dairy product that is not labeled or represented in accordance with the "Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 2353, 21 U.S.C.A. 343, as amended, and regulations adopted under it, and with this chapter and Chapter 3715. of the Revised Code and rules adopted under those chapters;

(F) Manufacture, sell, or deliver, hold, or offer for sale a dairy product that is adulterated as described in section 3715.59 of the Revised Code or is misbranded as described in section 3715.60 of the Revised Code;

(G) Use for human consumption goat's milk, sheep's milk, or another animal's milk, except to manufacture dairy products that are described in 21 C.F.R., as amended, or recognized as nonstandardized traditional products normally manufactured from the animal's milk.

Section 917.06 | No local regulations.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "political subdivision" means a county, township, or municipal corporation and any other body corporate and politic that is responsible for government activities in a geographic area smaller than that of the state.

(B) All political subdivisions shall give full faith and credit to the inspections and acts performed and records created in the administration and enforcement of this chapter and the rules adopted under it. No political subdivision shall require a person licensed under section 917.09 of the Revised Code to obtain a license or permit to operate in a manner described in this chapter or rules adopted under it, to submit to an inspection or pay a fee related to this chapter or the rules adopted under it, or to satisfy any other condition except as provided by a statute or rule of this state or the United States.

Section 917.07 | Dairy industry fund.

• Effective: June 6, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly

The dairy industry fund is hereby created in the state treasury. All inspection fees and license fees collected under this chapter shall be deposited into the fund together with all fine moneys received by the treasurer of state pursuant to division (F) of section 917.99 of the Revised Code and any other moneys collected under this chapter.

Moneys credited to the dairy industry fund shall be used to operate and pay expenses of the division of dairy in the department of agriculture.

Section 917.08 | Examinations.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

The director of agriculture shall conduct examinations to test qualifications of applicants for a weigher, sampler, or tester license issued under section 917.09 of the Revised Code at such times and in such places as in the director's opinion will afford the applicants an opportunity to take the examination at reasonable expense. The director may designate or employ one or more persons to conduct the examinations.

Section 917.09 | License types and categories.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

(A) The director of agriculture may issue the following types of licenses:

(1) Producer;

(2) Processor;

(3) Milk dealer;

(4) Raw milk retailer;

(5) Weigher, sampler, or tester;

(6) Milk hauler.

(B) The director may adopt rules establishing categories for each type of license that are based on the grade or type of dairy product with which the licensee is involved.

(C) Except as provided in section 917.091 of the Revised Code and division (J) of this section, no person shall act as or hold the person's self out as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler unless the person holds a valid license issued by the director under this section.

(D) Each person desiring a license shall submit to the director a license application on a form prescribed by the director, accompanied by a license fee in an amount specified in rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code. The applicant shall specify on the application the type of license and category requested and shall include any other information required by rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(E) Each applicant for a weigher, sampler, or tester license or registration, prior to issuance of the license or registration, shall pass an examination that is given in accordance with section 917.08 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

Each applicant for any other type of license issued under this section, prior to issuance of the license, shall pass an inspection that is made in accordance with rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(F) The director shall not issue a license to an applicant unless the director determines, through an inspection or otherwise, that the applicant is in compliance with the requirements set forth in this chapter and the rules adopted under it.

(G) Examinations that must be passed prior to issuance of a weigher, sampler, or tester license, inspections that must be passed prior to issuance of any other type of license issued under this section, procedures for issuing and renewing licenses, and license terms and renewal periods shall comply with rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(H) Suspension and revocation of licenses shall comply with section 917.22 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(I) Each licensed weigher, sampler, and tester annually shall meet the continuing education requirements established in rules adopted under division (B) of section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(J) A person whose religion prohibits the person from obtaining a license under this section, in place of a license, shall register with the director as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler.

The person claiming the exemption from licensure shall register on a form prescribed by the director and shall meet any other registration requirements contained in rules adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code. Upon receiving the person's registration form and determining that the person has satisfied all requirements for registration, the director shall notify the person that the person is registered to lawfully operate as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler.

A registrant is subject to all provisions governing licensees, such as provisions concerning testing, sampling, and inspection of dairy products. A registrant is subject to provisions governing issuance of a temporary weigher, sampler, or tester license under section 917.091 of the Revised Code. A registration shall be renewed, suspended, and revoked under the same terms as a license.

(K) Notwithstanding the requirements for a license or registration under this section, the director shall issue a license or registration to operate as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler, as applicable, in accordance with Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code to an individual if either of the following applies:

(1) The individual holds a license or registration in another state.

(2) The individual has satisfactory work experience, a government certification, or a private certification as described in that chapter as a producer; processor; milk dealer; raw milk retailer; weigher, sampler, or tester; or milk hauler, as applicable, in a state that does not issue the applicable license or registration.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 7:31 AM

Section 917.091 | Application and issuance of temporary weigher, sampler or tester license.

• Effective: December 29, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 131 - 134th General Assembly

The director of agriculture may issue a temporary weigher, sampler, or tester license to an applicant upon determining that the applicant has met all qualifications for licensure under section 917.09 of the Revised Code except successful completion of an examination. A temporary weigher, sampler, or tester license is effective for ninety days from the date of issuance. An applicant who has not taken an examination for licensure may receive no more than three temporary weigher, sampler, or tester licenses. An applicant who takes and fails an examination for licensure may receive no more than two temporary weigher, sampler, or tester licenses. Chapter 4796. of the Revised Code does not apply to a temporary license issued under this section.

Last updated December 29, 2023 at 7:31 AM

Section 917.10 | Pasteurization frozen dessert ingredients.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) A person who manufactures frozen desserts for sale shall use in the manufacturing only mixtures in which the dairy products, eggs, and any other ingredient specified by the director of agriculture have been pasteurized in accordance with rules governing pasteurization adopted under section 917.02 of the Revised Code. Except as provided in division (B) of this section, pasteurization shall occur at the milk plant where retail packaging occurs. Repasteurization is not required at a retail establishment.

(B) The director may adopt rules authorizing pasteurization at a milk plant other than the plant where retail packaging occurs if the director determines that the frozen dessert is handled, transported, and stored in a manner that the director determines to be safe and suitable.

Section 917.11 | Identification, labeling and branding.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

All dairy products shall be identified during processing and all packaged products shall be labeled and branded as required by this chapter and Chapter 3715. of the Revised Code and rules adopted under those chapters, and by the "Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990," 104 Stat. 2353, 21 U.S.C.A. 343, as amended and regulations adopted under it.

Section 917.12 | Reports and examinations.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The director of agriculture may provide by regulation for reports to be filed with him at least monthly by dealers, containing such pertinent information as to all milk or cream received during the period covered by such report as the director deems necessary and proper to effectuate sections 917.01 to 917.23, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

The director, or any person whom he may employ when duly authorized by the director in writing, may, during the usual office hours, examine such pertinent books and records of any dealer as are found by him necessary to verify the reports made to the director by the dealer or to determine whether records are properly and accurately kept or to determine whether such sections have been and are being complied with by such dealer or to determine whether producers are being paid according to the statement filed by the dealer.

Section 917.13 | Payment reports.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Each dealer shall file with the director of agriculture a statement setting forth the days of each calendar month on which payment is to be made to producers. Whenever any dealer does not pay any of his producers on such days, he shall file with the director a sworn statement containing the names and addresses of producers not so paid and the amount payable to each.

Thereafter, on or before the twentieth day of each calendar month, each dealer shall file with the director a statement setting forth the prices paid for milk or cream delivered to him by producers during the preceding calendar month, and also setting forth the method by which payments to individual producers or a co-operative association were computed. The director shall file such statements, and the same or copies thereof shall be open to public inspection during office hours.

Section 917.14 | Adoption of method guaranteeing payment to producer.

• Effective: September 28, 1965
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 263 - 106th General Assembly

Each dealer or any co-operative association making payments to producers for milk or cream except as provided in this section shall adopt one of the following methods to establish financial responsibility:

(A) He shall file and maintain with the director of agriculture a surety bond to the state, which bond shall be of an amount determined by the director to be not less than twice the value of milk or cream purchased by such dealer during an average pay period of the preceding twelve months or, if figures are not available, in such amount as the director requires; such bond shall be conditioned upon the prompt payment by the dealer for all milk or cream purchased by him;

(B) He shall deposit, with a trustee satisfactory to the director, cash or negotiable securities of any kind authorized by section 2109.37 of the Revised Code for investment of trust funds, equal in value to an amount as determined in division (A) of this section;

(C) He shall file with the director a sworn financial statement showing all assets and liabilities with such pertinent and necessary supporting data as the director requires, and revise such statement as frequently as the director requires.

If upon examination of any financial statement and other pertinent factors, the director is of the opinion that the dealer filing the same does not provide sufficient security for payment of producers, he may issue an order requiring such dealer to file a financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant or a public accountant after an audit of the company's records or establish financial responsibility in accordance with division (A) or (B) of this section, or he may require the dealer to make more frequent payments for milk or cream delivered. Failure to comply with such an order shall be cause for revocation or suspension of license.

If bond is filed under division (A) of this section, it shall bind the principal and surety to pay any producer the amount due to him from the dealer when and as the amount thereof shall be admitted to be due by the dealer or shall have been established by judgment of a court. If securities are placed in trust, the conditions of the deposit contract shall be substantially of the same effect. The form of said bond and said deposit agreement shall be prescribed by the attorney general.

Any producer or association of producers having a claim against a dealer filing such bond, which claim is more than thirty days overdue according to the statement filed by such dealer, may bring action on such bond. Any co-operative association of producers acting as agent for producer members who have delivered milk or cream to such dealer may combine in one action claims of two or more of its members whose claims are overdue.

Any producer having a claim against a dealer making deposit with a trustee shall be entitled to payment by the trustee upon presenting to the trustee either a certificate of the director that the amount claimed is not larger than the amount reported by the dealer as being due to such producer as provided in section 917.13 of the Revised Code or a certified copy of judgment of a court establishing the amount due.

This section does not apply to purchasers of cream who pay for purchases on or before the time of the next delivery.

Section 917.15 | Plans of operation.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

As individuals or through one or more co-operative associations, producers supplying milk or cream to dealers in any market, may petition the director of agriculture to approve a plan of weighing, sampling, or testing milk or cream, or of auditing payments to producers and schedule of uses, or petition that such functions be performed more frequently than they are ordinarily performed by the director. When such a petition is filed, after public hearing held in the market by the director after two weeks' notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the market, and after notice thereof has been mailed to all licensees who may be affected, if the director deems the market service requested to be advisable he may provide or authorize for the same in such manner as he finds advisable.

All such functions shall be financed by deduction from all producers who, as individuals or through an association, petition for them and whose milk or cream is delivered to the market area of the group affected, and only at such rate per one hundred pounds of milk or per pound of butterfat as will equal the actual cost of such work. Such deduction shall be made from each payment for milk or cream by the dealer receiving such milk or cream in such manner as the director prescribes and shall be paid to those performing such operations in such manner as the director prescribes.

The director may group separately producers and dealers receiving such producers' milk or cream by types of operation such as fluid milk operations, milk manufacturing operations, cheese making, and butter manufacturing. This section shall be applicable to each group separately in any market area.

The director shall discontinue any such special service upon petition of the majority of the producers affected, and he may discontinue such service upon his own initiative.

Section 917.16 | Rights of agricultural cooperative association.

• Effective: August 5, 1998
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 600 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) This chapter shall not restrain, limit, prejudice, abrogate, or take from any agricultural cooperative association the powers, privileges, and rights it has under Chapter 1729. of the Revised Code.

(B) Specifically, but without limiting division (A) of this section, this chapter shall not derogate from or prejudice any rights of any co-operative association, provided that the association and its employees comply with the licensing requirements.

Section 917.17 | Confidential information.

• Effective: November 15, 1981
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 694 - 114th General Assembly

All information that is furnished to or procured by the director of agriculture under sections 917.01 to 917.23 of the Revised Code shall be for the exclusive use and information of the director in the discharge of his official duties and shall not be open to the public or be used in any court in any action or proceeding therein unless the director is a party to such action or proceeding; but such information may be consolidated in statistical tables and published by the director in statistical form, without disclosing details of information furnished by any particular person, for the use and information of other state departments and the public.

The director or any employee of the director and any person assisting the director in the administration of such sections shall not willfully divulge any material information secured while in the employ of the director, with respect to the transactions, property, files, records, or papers of the department, or with respect to the business or mechanical, chemical, or other industrial processes of any person or dealer, to any person other than to the director or to the superior of such employee of the director, or when called upon to testify in any action or proceeding in any court.

Any employee of the director authorized to accept or receive money paid or to be paid to the director shall, before he enters upon the discharge of his duties, execute and file in the office of the secretary of state, a bond in such amount as is fixed by the secretary of state. If surety company bonds are furnished, the premiums thereon shall be paid by the department.

Section 917.18 | Family member or employee contracts certain diseases.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "family member" means a spouse; person living as a spouse; parent; child; other person related to a milk producer or raw milk retailer by consanguinity or affinity; or parent, child, or other person related to a spouse or a person living as a spouse by consanguinity or affinity, who is residing with a milk producer or raw milk retailer.

(B) Upon becoming aware that a family member or employee who handles or is likely to handle grade A milk, manufacture milk, raw milk for sale to the ultimate consumer, or equipment used in the handling of any such milk, on the milk producer's or raw milk retailer's premises has contracted or been diagnosed with a dangerous, contagious, or infectious disease, the milk producer or raw milk retailer immediately shall notify the director of agriculture and the health commissioner of the city health district or general health district in which its dairy products are sold or offered for sale, advising both officials of the facts of the case. The director may order that the sale of the dairy products be stopped pending an investigation and for any time thereafter that the director requires. If the director determines that an investigation is called for, the director or the director's authorized representative shall investigate without delay, and the director may place an embargo or make and enforce orders, without a hearing, to prevent the sale of dairy products that constitute adulterated food as described in section 3715.59 of the Revised Code.

Section 917.19 | Inspections - right of entry.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

The following items shall be subject to inspection by a person designated by the director of agriculture:

(A) Milk plant facilities and equipment;

(B) Milk transport vehicles;

(C) Dairy farms, including dairy animals, stables, milk parlors, milk houses, and milk vessels of milk producers.

The inspector, while in the normal, lawful, and peaceful pursuit of inspection duties, may enter upon, cross over, and remain upon privately owned lands for those purposes and shall not be subject to arrest for trespass.

Section 917.20 | Admissibility of test report or document.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

A test report or document prepared by an analyst who is employed or designated by the director of agriculture and who tested a sample shall be admissible as evidence in a prosecution for a violation of a statute or rule, provided that the report or document contains a sworn statement, signed by the analyst, that the report or document accurately contains or represents the findings or conclusions of the analyst.

Section 917.21 | Injunctive or other relief.

• Effective: October 21, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 87 - 122nd General Assembly

In addition to other remedies provided by law and irrespective of whether an adequate remedy at law exists, the director of agriculture may apply to the court of common pleas of a county in which a violation of this chapter or rules adopted under it occurs for a temporary or permanent injunction or other appropriate relief concerning the violation.

Section 917.22 | Denial, suspension or revocation of license.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

(A)(1) The director of agriculture may deny, suspend, or revoke a license issued under this chapter for a violation of this chapter or the rules adopted under it. Except as provided in division (A)(2) of this section, the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license is not effective until the licensee is given written notice of the violation, a reasonable amount of time to correct the violation, and an opportunity for a hearing.

(2) If the director determines that a dairy product constitutes adulterated food as described in section 3715.59 of the Revised Code or exceeds bacterial or chemical standards established by rules adopted under this chapter, or that an emergency exists that presents a clear and present danger to the public health, the director may deny, suspend, or revoke a license, effective immediately without a hearing, provided that an opportunity for a hearing shall be afforded thereafter without delay.

(B) All proceedings under this chapter shall comply with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, except that:

(1) The location of any adjudicatory hearing that the licensee requests shall be the central office of the department of agriculture.

(2) The director shall notify a licensee by certified mail or personal delivery that the licensee is conditionally entitled to a hearing. The director shall specify in the notice that, in order to obtain a hearing, the licensee must request the hearing not later than ten days after the date of receipt of the notice.

(3) If the licensee requests a hearing, the date set for the hearing shall be no later than ten days after the date on which the director receives the request, unless the director and the licensee agree otherwise.

(4) The director shall not postpone or continue an adjudication hearing without the consent of the licensee. If the licensee requests a postponement or continuation of an adjudication hearing, the director shall not grant it unless the licensee demonstrates that an extreme hardship will be incurred in holding the adjudication hearing on that hearing date. If the director grants a postponement or continuation on the grounds of extreme hardship to the licensee, the record shall document the nature and cause of the extreme hardship.

(5) In lieu of having a hearing and upon the licensee's written request to the director, the licensee may submit to the director, not later than the date of the hearing set pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section, documents, papers, and other written evidence to support the licensee's claim.

(6) If the director appoints a referee or examiner to conduct the hearing, the following apply:

(a) A copy of the written adjudication report and recommendations of the referee or examiner shall be served by certified mail upon the director and the licensee or the licensee's attorney or other representative of record not later than three business days following the conclusion of the hearing.

(b) Not later than three business days after receipt of the report and recommendations, the licensee may file with the director written objections to the report and recommendations.

(c) The director shall consider the objections submitted by the licensee before approving, modifying, or disapproving the report and recommendations. The director shall serve the director's order upon the licensee or the licensee's attorney or other representative of record by certified mail not later than six business days after receiving the report.

(7) If the director conducts the hearing, the director shall serve the director's decision by certified mail upon the licensee or the licensee's attorney or other representative of record not later than three business days following the close of the hearing.

(8) If no hearing is held, the director shall issue an order by certified mail to the licensee or the licensee's attorney or other representative of record not later than three business days following the last date possible for a hearing, based on the record that is available.

Section 917.23 | Cooling and storage of manufacture milk.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 645 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) With respect to cooling and storage of manufacture milk, a manufacture milk producer shall do one of the following:

(1) In the case of manufacture milk that is stored in cans on the manufacture milk producer's farm, cool the milk to and store it at a temperature of sixty degrees fahrenheit, sixteen degrees celsius, or lower within two hours after completion of the milking;

(2) In the case of all other manufacture milk that is stored on the manufacture milk producer's farm, cool the milk and store it in accordance with rules adopted by the director of agriculture pursuant to section 917.02 of the Revised Code.

(B) Manufacture milk stored in accordance with division (A)(1) of this section shall be used exclusively in the manufacture of cheese.

(C) This section does not apply to raw milk that is delivered to a manufacture milk plant not later than two hours after completion of milking.

Section 917.24 | Effect of child support default on license.

• Effective: March 22, 2001
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 180 - 123rd General Assembly

On receipt of a notice pursuant to section 3123.43 of the Revised Code, the director of agriculture shall comply with sections 3123.41 to 3123.50 of the Revised Code and any applicable rules adopted under section 3123.63 of the Revised Code with respect to a license issued pursuant to this chapter.

Section 917.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: June 6, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly

(A) Whoever violates division (C) of section 917.09 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.

(B) Whoever violates section 917.13 or 917.14 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree on a first offense, a felony of the fifth degree on a second offense, and a felony of the fourth degree on each subsequent offense.

(C) Whoever violates division (A), (B), (C), (D), or (G) of section 917.05 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.

(D) Whoever violates division (E) or (F) of section 917.05 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree on a first offense and a misdemeanor of the first degree on each subsequent offense.

(E) Each day of violation of a provision described in divisions (A) to (D) of this section constitutes a separate offense.

(F) The court imposing a fine under divisions (A) to (D) of this section shall order that not less than fifty per cent of the fine be disbursed to the treasurer of state for deposit into the dairy industry fund created in section 917.07 of the Revised Code. Subject to that minimum percentage, the court's order shall specify the percentage of the fine that the clerk of the court shall disburse to the treasurer of state. The clerk of the court shall disburse the remainder of the fine to the county treasurer.