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June is National Dairy Month -- a celebration of the U.S. dairy industry’s contributions. As an organization that would not exist if it weren’t for the dairy industry, we’re all in on this celebration.
3-A Sanitary Standards protect hundreds of millions of people worldwide against foodborne illness. But it didn’t start that way.
At first, “3-A” referred to a collaboration by three organizations with a shared interest in valves and fittings designed for the U.S. dairy industry.
The first 3-A standards were introduced in the 1920s. They grew from a collaboration between the International Dairy Foods Association, Food Production Solutions Association (formerly Food Processing Suppliers Association), and International Association for Food Protection. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also played a role.
3-A Sanitary Standards protect hundreds of millions of people worldwide against foodborne illness.
Since that time, 3-A Sanitary Standards have addressed the design of many other types of equipment used in the dairy industry and beyond. The 3-A Sanitary Standards were codified in the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), which indicates that equipment in compliance with relevant 3-A Standards is also compliant with the PMO.
Today, 3-A SSI is the author and steward of nearly 100 food safety standards that remain essential to the U.S. dairy industry and are used internationally by food and beverage processors and others.
We also authorize the use of the 3-A Symbol on equipment that complies with the standards. It’s a visual cue that instantly tells food processors and, importantly, regulators that equipment has undergone rigorous third-party verification testing by a 3-A SSI Certified Conformance Evaluator to demonstrate its compliance.
More than 500 equipment manufacturers all over the world hold 3-A Symbols and certificates. They market over 1,000 pieces of equipment bearing the 3-A Symbol to serve the needs of the food and beverage industry.
And, for several years, the number of 3-A Symbol Authorizations and other certificates have reached new highs. This is because many food and beverage processors and other equipment users now insist on 3-A Symbol-bearing equipment in their operations.
3-A SSI is a unique U.S. dairy industry success story. We’re proud to continue to serve the dairy industry – in the United States and all over the world – and proud to be among the dairy industry’s many contributions.
Happy National Dairy Month!
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3-A SSI has launched an all-new program to recognize rising stars under the age of 40.
3-ASSI has launched an all-new Student Hygienic Design Competition. It gives students an opportunity to launch their careers while competing as part of an interdisciplinary team for bragging rights and a share of $10,000 in prize money.
The application is open for the 3-A SSI Dr. Ron Schmidt Student Travel Award. Recipients attend the 3-A SSI 2026 Summit on Hygienic Design, present a poster, and are treated to a VIP experience. After the event, recipients' research is published on the 3-A blog and promoted on social media. Many students land internships or full-time jobs as a result of the recognition.
After a productive and engaging PACK EXPO, the 3-A SSI team turns its sights to EATS and the IDFA DairyTech Conference.
