Dairy includes fluid milk, as well as manufactured milk products (skim, lowfat, whole milk & yogurt, cottage cheese, butter, and cream hard cheese, soft cheese, and ice cream). These products may be made from milk from cows, sheep, or goats.
Several definitions are important to know when working with dairy products:
- A dairy farm or farm is a place or premise where one or more lactating animals are kept, and from which all or a portion of the milk produced thereon is delivered, sold, or offered for sale to a manufacturing plant (FDA definition).
- A dairy plant or plant is any place, premise, or establishment where milk or dairy products are received or handled for processing or manufacturing and/or prepared for distribution. When “plant” is used in connection with the production, transportation, grading, or use of milk, it means any plant that handles or purchases milk for manufacturing purposes; when used in connection with requirements for plants or licensing of plants, it means only those plants that manufacture dairy products.