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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of the manufacture of ultra-heat treated (UHT) products in a dairy processing operation
Level / 3 / Credits / 5
Purpose / This theory-based entry-level unit standard is for people carrying out basic milk processing functions in a dairy processing operation.
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of: the requirements for processing UHTmilk-based products; the principles of UHT processing; and the packaging of UHT products, in a dairy processing operation.
Classification / Dairy ProcessingMilk Processing
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to the Animal Products Act 1999, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and Animal Products (Dairy) Regulations 2005.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of UHT products and their requirements for processing in a dairy operation.
Evidence requirements
1.1Purposes of UHT are described in terms of preservation, market access, and tailoring for customer applications.
1.2The relationship between the main unit operations in the UHT process is described in terms of the purpose of each stage.
Rangeoperations include but are not limited to – milk treatment, preheating, homogenisation, sterilisation, aseptic filling and packing.
1.3Uses of UHT products are described in terms of food ingredients and consumer applications.
Rangeuses include but are not limited to – consumer products, commercial applications.
1.4Requirements of UHT are described in terms of sterilising efficiency, commercial sterility, and the relationship between the sterilisation effect and the browning reaction.
1.5Legislative requirements for UHTmilk-based products are described in terms of minimum temperature and time combinations.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of UHT processing in a dairy processing operation.
Evidence requirements
2.1The components of a UHTprocess are described in terms of their functions.
Rangecomponents may include but are not limited to – preheating system, homogeniser, steriliser, holding tubes, aseptic homogeniser, reject valve;
evidence is required of three components.
2.2The components of a UHT packing process are described in terms of their functions.
Rangecomponents include but are not limited to – aseptic filling, aseptic packing.
2.3Process controls of an UHT process are described in terms of their primary functions.
2.4Principles of a UHT process are described in terms of the purpose and influences of key steps in the process.
Rangekey steps include but are not limited to – raw material preparation, sterilisation, homogenisation, product cooling.
2.5Cleaning and sterilising of a UHT plant is described in terms of process control variables for achieving and maintaining aseptic conditions.
Rangecontrol variables include but are not limited to – cleaning chemicals, cleaning temperatures, cleaning sequences, sterilisation.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the packaging of UHT products in a dairy processing operation.
Evidence requirements
3.1Cleaning and sterilisation of packaging materials and product and non-product contact surfaces of aseptic fillers is described in terms of achieving and maintaining aseptic conditions during filling.
3.2Packaging materials and forms used for UHT products are described in terms of barrier properties and production of tight units to prevent contamination.
Rangematerials and forms include but are not limited to – cans, laminated cartons, and thermoformed plastics, flexible pouches.
3.3Aseptic packaging is described in terms of common systems used for filling and sealing of UHT products.
Planned review date / 31 December 2020Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 28 April 1995 / 31 December 2014
Review / 2 / 5 July 1999 / 31 December 2014
Review / 3 / 26 August 2002 / 31 December 2014
Revision / 4 / 13 June 2003 / 31 December 2014
Rollover and Revision / 5 / 17 July 2009 / 31 December 2016
Review / 6 / 18 June 2015 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0022
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMRs). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018