In addition to the previous 11 states that agreed to retail raw milk, two other jurisdictions issued legal opinions on the legality of selling raw milk. In Utah, state legislatures have required that the retail store that sells raw milk also be the owner of the farm that produced the milk. Legislation relating to the sale and consumption of raw milk is regularly reviewed by state legislators, and state raw milk laws change from time to time. The Real Raw Milk Facts working group has therefore developed a legislative package to highlight the risk of consuming raw milk, raw cheese and other raw dairy products compared to the consumption of pasteurized dairy products and advise against expanding the availability of raw milk/dairy products for retailers. In addition, the following tables provide information on various raw milk laws and regulations. “Class A pasteurized milk meets the legal health standards that consumers can rely on. Missouri consumers can already buy raw milk or cream for their use. Raw milk producers/processors may be licensed and inspected to further validate the raw product they sell to consumers. Therefore, we believe that no changes are necessary in Missouri law and oppose HB1977,” he added. South Carolina – Raw milk retailing is legal; Approval is required. The state issued proposed ordinances in 2020 to legalize the sale of raw cream and raw buttermilk. State-by-state regulations by outletClick this table to see which states allow raw milk to be sold on farms and in retail stores.
New Jersey – The sale of raw pet milk is legal if the producer is registered with the state Department of Agriculture. The distribution or sale of raw milk for human consumption is illegal. In 1987, the FDA ordered the pasteurization of all milk and dairy products intended for human consumption and banned the shipment of raw milk in interstate trade, except cheese made from raw milk, provided the cheese matured for at least 60 days and is clearly labeled as unpasteurized. Wisconsin – The sale of raw milk on farms is legal as a “side sale,” which is defined as “not part of the ordinary course of business” (the state has not specified what “ordinary course of business” is). The sale of raw milk is also legal for persons who have a bona fide ownership interest in the milk producer`s licence. Farmers with a milk producer`s licence can issue shares to those who want to receive raw milk, as long as the sole purpose of the business is not to sell raw milk and investors have the risk of losing for their investment. The map above shows the most permissive category for raw milk production in each state. Please see the table below for a more detailed overview of how raw milk can be legally obtained in your state. See the glossary below the table. The sale of raw milk for animal consumption is at least potentially legal in all states, but under animal feed business licensing laws. With the exception of Michigan, there is no state law specifically prohibiting the sale of raw milk for animal consumption. The variables are states` willingness to license raw milk producers for animal feed and the extent to which government agencies would closely monitor licensees to ensure that raw milk sales are for animal consumption only.
The CMP by-law does not apply to the sale of raw milk for animal feed. Drinking or consuming raw milk is legal in all 50 states. With the exception of Michigan, no state specifically prohibits the sale of raw milk for animal feed. Illinois – Selling raw milk on the farm is legal; Two permits are required: a dairy farm permit and a distributor license. For unpasteurized milk, the Missouri bill offers this warning: “WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.” States that legalize the sale or distribution of raw milk have done so by: Idaho – retail sales of raw milk are as legal as the sale of raw butter, yogurt, kefir, and unripened cheese; Approval is required. Household shares are legal if the producer is registered and the herd does not exceed 7 cows, 15 goats or 15 sheep. Non-retail sales are legal if the producer is registered with the state and owns no more than 3 cows, 7 goats or 7 sheep. Do you want raw milk? For now, it is the states that allow the sale of raw milk in retail stores: Georgia`s HB1175, to authorize and regulate the production, handling, transportation and sale of raw milk and raw milk products for human consumption, passed the House on March 3 by a vote of 100 to 62. It was referred to the Senate.
Nevada – The sale of raw milk is de facto illegal; The sale is legal but only if the district dairy board approves the producer. Only one county (Nye) has a milk commission and that county has not approved anyone. The sale of raw pet milk is legal, but state law requires a toxic dye to denature the milk. From 1993 to 2012, 127 outbreaks reported to the CDC were related to raw milk. These outbreaks included 1,909 illnesses and 144 hospitalizations. Most outbreaks were caused by Campylobacter, E. coli producing Shiga or Salmonella toxins. Although the federal government only sells Class A pasteurized milk to consumers, 31 states allow consumers to purchase raw milk directly. In many states, raw milk can only be purchased on the farm, at farmers` markets, or through a “cow sharing” program, where consumers combine their resources to buy a dairy cow. However, in 12 states, consumers can buy raw milk at retail stores. **Source of legal status of raw milk data sales: National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and Maryland State Regulations Online Search – The sale of raw milk is illegal by law and herd distribution is prohibited by law.
The sale of raw pet milk is legal if the producer is registered with the state. Alaska – The distribution of raw milk through herd stocks is legal under the law. The state interprets the regulation to mean that no other raw dairy products can be distributed through herd-sharing agreements. In the other 19 states, the sale of raw milk to consumers is prohibited. However, raw milk can be purchased for animal consumption. Summaries of the state milk law are based on research on state legal and administrative regulations and discussions with farmers and state dairy officials. Arkansas – The sale of raw cow`s, goat`s or sheep`s milk on the farm is legal. No license is required. Producers can sell up to 500 gallons per month. View all reports. “Missouri Dairy, an organization that represents Class A dairy farmers throughout Missouri, opposes HB1977,” said Gene Wiseman, the group`s legislative director.