3-A Sanitary Standards have a long history of use for the design and operation of equipment and utensils in the manufacturing, processing, packaging and storing of milk and dairy products. 3-A Accepted Practices for systems such as those used to produce culinary steam or air under pressure to be directed at product or product contact surfaces are also widely used.
The 3-A criteria are used to ensure compliance with the requirements of both USDA rules under 7 CFR Part 58 — Grading and Inspection, General Specifications for Approved Plants and Standards for Grades of Specific Dairy Products and similar rules under the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance.