Overview

The Inspection Programs Unit at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) ensures compliance with regulations and policies governing the production, processing and distribution of cow and goat milk and milk products in Ontario. This is done through various government and industry partnership arrangements and a comprehensive regulatory based field to fork approach.

Dairy cows

The Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) administer the raw milk quality program for cow milk in Ontario including inspections of dairy farms, milk transport trucks and certification of bulk tank milk graders. To learn more visit Dairy Farmers of Ontario.

OMAFRA is responsible for the monitoring and auditing of DFO's administration of the program. This arrangement is established through legislation and a comprehensive administrative agreement.

Dairy goats

Grade A goat milk registration

Learn about the registration process for producing and selling Grade A goat milk in Ontario.

Planning and building a goat milk house

Learn how to plan and build a milk house.

Goat milk sampling and testing

Learn about the goat milk collection process, sample delivery and testing procedures.

Handling milking centre washwater

Learn about options for the storage, handling and treatment of milking centre washwater from dairy cow, goat and sheep operations.

Milk grading

Milk grader certifications

Learn about milk graders and how you can become a certified bulk tank milk grader or plant milk grader.

Application for an Apprentice Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate

Apply for an Apprentice Goat Bulk Tank Milk Grader Certificate.

Dairy plants

Dairy plant licence

Learn who needs a licence, the exemptions, how to apply and find a list of licensed plants in Ontario.

Dairy plant inspection

Learn about relevant laws, what a food safety inspector does and how frequently we inspect plants.

Dairy plant sanitation programs

Learn about the regulatory requirements and key elements of a comprehensive sanitation program in your dairy processing plant.

Environmental monitoring program: dairy and foods of plant origin facilities

Learn how we collect swabs and test for Listeria at non-federally licensed facilities in Ontario.

Cheese smoking guidelines

Learn about smoking cheese and requirements needed to protect cheese from contamination throughout the process.

Dairy licence, permit and certificate applications

Find applications for dairy plant licences, permits and grader certificates.

Pasteurized milk in Ontario

Pasteurizing milk sold to consumers is the law in Ontario. Find out what pasteurization is and how it affects milk.

 

 

Non-shopkeeper-distributors

Guidelines for non-shopkeeper distributors of fluid milk products

Learn about the licensing, application and inspection process for non-shopkeeper distributors of fluid milk products in Ontario. Find a list of provincially licensed non-shopkeeper-distributors in Ontario.

Laws and regulations

The Milk Act (Ontario) sets out requirements for the production and marketing of milk in Ontario including the control and regulation of the quality of milk, milk products and fluid milk products.

Rules and regulations include: