Raw Milk Laws by State & Country
Comprehensive legal guide to raw milk regulations across the US, Canada, and countries worldwide.
This interactive map shows the legal status of raw milk by state and country. Click a region to learn about its specific regulations.
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For specific legal guidance, contact us or consult your attorney. For legal defense resources, visit the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund.
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Understanding Raw Milk Legal Status
Raw milk regulations vary widely by jurisdiction. Some allow retail or farm-direct sales, others restrict to narrow pathways, and some prohibit distribution entirely. Click any region to see its specific rules.
Law Status Guide
Established Regulatory Framework
Raw milk can be legally purchased in stores or directly from producers. On-farm and retail sales are permitted.
Possible with Restrictions
Herdshares, cow sharing, or "pet food" consumption permitted. Direct sales to consumers may be limited to on-farm.
No Sales or Herdshares
Raw milk distribution and herdshares are prohibited. Personal production and consumption only.
Browse by State and Country
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United States
Available on the state level
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Alabama
Formal raw milk sales are restricted in Alabama under Ala. Code §20-1-40. No licensed farm-direct or herdshare pathway has been established, but limited informal access exists in the state's rural and agricultural communities.
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Alaska
Licensed raw milk is available at farms and registered retail stores in Alaska under 18 AAC 32.070 (effective March 2023). Producers register with the Alaska DEC; retail stores carrying raw milk must also separately register with DEC.
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Arizona
Retail and on-farm raw milk sales are legal in Arizona with a state permit under ARS §3-606. Licensed grocery stores and health food retailers may stock raw milk, making Arizona one of the most retail-accessible states.
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Arkansas
Arkansas significantly expanded raw milk access in 2025 through SB 464 (Act 698). Licensed producers may now sell at farmers markets, natural food stores, and via direct delivery. The prior 500-gallon monthly cap and on-farm-only restriction were both removed.
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California
Licensed raw milk is widely available in California grocery and health food stores under CDFA Grade A standards. California has the country's largest raw milk market, supplied by several major licensed producers.
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Colorado
Direct-to-consumer raw milk pickup is legal in Colorado under House Bill 23-1234. Licensed producers may sell at the farm and at designated off-farm pickup locations. Full retail store distribution is not authorized.
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Connecticut
Retail and farm-direct raw milk sales are legal in Connecticut with a state permit. Licensed health food stores, food cooperatives, and farms may sell raw milk directly to consumers.
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Delaware
Farm-direct raw milk sales became legal in Delaware in September 2024 when House Bill 414 was signed into law. Previously banned outright, licensed producers may now sell directly to consumers.
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District of Columbia
Raw milk sales for human consumption are prohibited in the District of Columbia, which follows federal food safety standards. No farm-direct or retail pathway exists.
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Florida
Raw milk is sold on Florida farms under a 'pet milk' label, authorized for animal consumption under §502.161 Florida Statutes but widely purchased by human consumers. No licensed human food retail pathway exists.
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Georgia
Licensed on-farm raw milk sales are available to any consumer in Georgia under O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq. (Raw Dairy Act, effective July 1, 2023). No herdshare or ownership arrangement is required; consumers purchase directly from permitted farms.
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Hawaii
Raw milk sales for human consumption are prohibited in Hawaii under Hawaii Administrative Rules §11-81. Bills introduced in 2023 to decriminalize raw milk and reduce penalties for small-scale sales did not become law.
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Idaho
Retail and on-farm raw milk sales are legal in Idaho under IDAPA 02.04.13. Licensed raw milk is available in grocery stores and health food retailers statewide, making Idaho one of the most retail-accessible states.
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Illinois
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in Illinois under 410 ILCS 635/8, which provides a farm-direct exemption for milk sold from the producing farm. No retail store or delivery sales are authorized.
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Indiana
Licensed herdshare agreements are authorized in Indiana under Indiana Code §15-18-1.5. Consumers contract an ownership share in a dairy herd and receive raw milk as a benefit of animal ownership.
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Iowa
On-farm raw milk sales became legal in Iowa starting July 1, 2023, under Senate File 519. Licensed farms may sell raw milk directly to consumers at the farm. No retail store pathway exists; a 2025 bill to add retail sales did not advance.
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Kansas
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in Kansas with a permit from the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Producers may sell directly to consumers at the farm under a licensed framework. No off-farm distribution is authorized.
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Kentucky
Raw milk sales are prohibited in Kentucky under state dairy regulations requiring pasteurization. No licensed farm-direct, herdshare, or retail pathway has been formally recognized under current state law.
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Louisiana
On-farm raw milk sales became legal in Louisiana in June 2024 when the governor signed SB 167. Previously prohibited, licensed producers may now sell directly to consumers at the farm.
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Maine
Raw milk is available at licensed farms, farm stands, and farmers markets throughout Maine under 7 M.R.S.A. §2902-B, with no herdshare membership required. Maine is one of the most accessible states in New England.
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Maryland
Raw milk labeled for pet consumption is sold by Maryland farms registered under COMAR 15.18.09.13. No licensed human consumption pathway exists; a 2025 bill (HB 1449) to establish one did not advance out of committee.
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Massachusetts
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in Massachusetts under 330 CMR 33.00. A state permit is required and sales are restricted to the licensed farm. No delivery, retail store, or farmers market sales.
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Michigan
Herdshare agreements are authorized in Michigan under MDARD Policy #1.40 (2013). Consumers contract an ownership interest in a dairy animal and receive raw milk as a benefit of that animal ownership.
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Minnesota
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in Minnesota under a farm-direct exemption in Minn. Stat. §32D.19. Qualifying small-scale farms may sell raw milk directly to consumers without a full commercial dairy license.
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Mississippi
Formal raw milk sales are restricted in Mississippi under Miss. Code Ann. §75-31-41. No licensed farm-direct or herdshare framework has been established, but limited informal access exists in rural farming communities.
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Missouri
On-farm and farmers market raw milk sales are legal in Missouri with a state permit. Missouri allows producers to sell directly to consumers at the farm and at licensed farmers markets.
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Montana
Raw milk is available at farms, home sales, farmers markets, and community events in Montana under the Montana Local Food Choice Act. Small dairies with up to 5 cows or 10 goats/sheep may sell direct to consumers; retail store distribution is not permitted.
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Nebraska
On-farm raw milk sales and herdshare arrangements are permitted in Nebraska. Producers may sell raw milk directly to consumers at the farm under an exemption from the general pasteurization requirement.
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Nevada
Raw milk sales for human consumption are prohibited in Nevada under NRS Chapter 584. The state has no licensed farm-direct, herdshare, or retail raw milk pathway; consumers seeking raw milk must cross into California or Arizona.
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New Hampshire
Licensed raw milk is available at farms, farm stands, farmers markets, and retail stores in New Hampshire under RSA 184. Producers may sell to retail stores under a producer-distributor license; small producers under 20 gallons per day may sell direct at the farm, farm stand, or farmers market.
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New Jersey
Raw milk sales for human consumption are prohibited in New Jersey under N.J.A.C. 2:82. Bills to legalize farm-direct sales were introduced in 2024 but did not advance.
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New Mexico
Licensed raw milk is available at retail stores and from farms in New Mexico. Albuquerque formalized licensed retail access in 2023, and licensed producers serve consumers statewide through farm-direct and store-based channels.
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New York
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in New York under Agriculture and Markets Law §47-a. A state retail permit is required; consumers must visit the farm to purchase. No delivery or off-farm retail sales.
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North Carolina
Formal raw milk sales are restricted in North Carolina, but limited informal access exists in agricultural communities. Bipartisan legalization bills have been active since 2024; the Agriculture Commissioner has actively opposed them.
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North Dakota
On-farm raw milk sales became legal in North Dakota in August 2023 under SB 2362. The 2025 session expanded licensing to include additional raw dairy products. No retail store or off-farm delivery pathway exists.
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Ohio
Licensed herdshare agreements are the primary legal pathway for raw milk in Ohio under Ohio Revised Code §917.07. Consumers contract an ownership share in a dairy herd and receive raw milk as a benefit of animal ownership.
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Oklahoma
On-farm raw milk sales are legal in Oklahoma with a state permit. A 2026 law raised the sales cap, legalized advertising, and added labeling requirements. No off-farm retail distribution.
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Oregon
On-farm licensed raw milk sales are legal in Oregon under ORS Chapter 621. No retail store or off-farm delivery distribution is authorized. Farm-direct access is available from licensed producers statewide.
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Pennsylvania
Retail and on-farm raw milk sales are legal in Pennsylvania under 7 Pa. Code Chapter 59. Pennsylvania has one of the most developed raw milk retail frameworks in the country, with permitted grocery stores and specialty retailers.
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Rhode Island
Raw milk sales for human consumption are prohibited in Rhode Island. Legislation to establish a farm-direct licensing pathway was introduced in 2024 but did not advance.
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South Carolina
Licensed raw milk is available on-farm and through retail distribution in South Carolina under SC Regulation 61-34. Licensed producers may sell directly to consumers and distribute through retailers; retail stores and distributors do not require a separate permit for producer-permitted raw milk.
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South Dakota
On-farm raw milk sales are permitted in South Dakota under SDCL Chapter 39-6. Producers may sell directly to consumers at the farm; no off-farm retail or delivery pathway has been established.
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Tennessee
Formal raw milk sales are restricted in Tennessee, with commercial distribution requiring pasteurization. The 2025 Food Freedom Act excluded raw milk from its provisions. Limited informal access exists in the state's agricultural communities.
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Texas
On-farm and home delivery raw milk sales are legal in Texas under THSC §435. Licensed farms may sell at the farm and deliver directly to consumers in the producer's vehicle. No retail store distribution.
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Utah
Raw milk sales in grocery stores became legal statewide in Utah in 2026 when HB 179 was signed into law. Previously limited to licensed specialty stores and on-farm sales, raw milk is now available in grocery stores throughout the state.
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Vermont
On-farm and farmers market raw milk sales are legal in Vermont with a state permit from the Agency of Agriculture. Producer testing and labeling requirements apply. No licensed grocery store pathway.
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Virginia
Licensed herdshare agreements are the primary legal pathway for raw milk access in Virginia under VA Code §3.2-5130. Direct farm retail sales and retail store sales are not authorized.
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Washington
Licensed raw milk is legal at retail stores and on farms in Washington State under WAC 16-149. Certified Grade A raw milk is available in health food stores, food cooperatives, and specialty retailers throughout the state.
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West Virginia
Farm-direct raw milk sales became legal in West Virginia in March 2024 when SB 288 was signed into law. Previously prohibited, licensed producers may now sell directly to consumers at the farm.
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Wisconsin
Raw milk is banned statewide in Wisconsin with no recognized herdshare pathway. Since the Vernon Hershberger acquittal in 2013, DATCP enforcement has been minimal; incidental on-farm sales are tolerated unless characterized as a regular retail operation.
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Wyoming
Raw milk is available at farms, retail stores, farmers markets, and via delivery in Wyoming under the Wyoming Food Freedom Act (Wyo. Stat. §11-49-103). No state license, permit, or inspection is required for qualifying producers under the WFFA.
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United Kingdom
Legal for registered farm-direct sales in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Banned in Scotland since 1983.
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England
Farm-direct sales legal for FSA-registered farms — farm gate, vending machines, online delivery, and farmers markets all permitted.
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Northern Ireland
Farm-direct sales legal for registered milk production holdings. Windsor Framework means EU dairy hygiene rules continue to apply.
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Scotland
All raw milk sales banned since 1983. No exemptions or legal pathways exist for any species.
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Wales
Farm-direct sales legal under the same framework as England — farm gate, vending machines, and online delivery permitted.
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Albania
Traditional village dairy production with raw milk widely available from farms. No formal consumer sales framework confirmed.
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Australia
Raw cow milk is banned for human consumption in all states and territories. Raw goat milk is permitted with restrictions in four states.
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Australian Capital Territory
Raw milk prohibited in accordance with the FSANZ Food Standards Code. No separate ACT dairy scheme exists to permit raw milk sales.
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New South Wales
Raw cow milk banned. Raw goat milk permitted under the NSW dairy food safety scheme with testing and labeling requirements.
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Northern Territory
Raw milk prohibited in accordance with the FSANZ Food Standards Code. No separate NT dairy scheme exists to permit raw milk sales.
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Queensland
Raw cow milk banned. Raw goat milk permitted under the Queensland dairy scheme with mandatory testing, recall procedures, and caution labeling.
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South Australia
Raw cow milk banned. Raw goat milk permitted under strict conditions including testing, recall procedures, and labeling administered by SA Health.
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Tasmania
Raw milk of any species banned for human consumption. Tasmania does not participate in the raw goat milk exemption available in some mainland states.
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Victoria
Raw milk of any species is banned for human consumption. Victoria does not permit raw goat milk sales and requires a bittering agent in cosmetic bath milk.
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Western Australia
Raw cow milk banned. Raw goat milk permitted under the state dairy scheme with testing and labeling requirements.
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Austria
Legal at farm gate and through farm vending machines. A visible notice that raw milk should be boiled before consumption is required.
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Bahrain
No consumer retail pathway for raw milk. Bahrain implements GCC/GSO harmonized standards requiring pasteurization for commercially sold milk. Domestic dairy production is minimal; most dairy is imported.
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Belgium
Legal at farm and through some retail channels. Farm vending machines operate across the country.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina
No formal consumer raw milk framework. Direct village-to-consumer farm sales are widely practiced throughout the country with minimal enforcement.
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Brazil
No federal authorization for consumer raw milk sales. State-level artisanal dairy frameworks — particularly in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul — permit farm-direct raw milk products. Informal farm sales are widely practiced.
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Bulgaria
Raw milk production regulated under Order No. 5 of May 2023. The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency oversees farms and conducts official sampling.
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Canada
Outlawed nationwide
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Alberta
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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British Columbia
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Manitoba
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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New Brunswick
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Newfoundland and Labrador
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Northwest Territories
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Nova Scotia
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Nunavut
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Ontario
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Prince Edward Island
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Quebec
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Saskatchewan
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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Yukon
Raw milk sales are banned under Canada's nationwide prohibition.
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China
Commercial sale of raw milk is prohibited; all raw milk must enter the licensed processing supply chain under State Council regulations enacted after the 2008 melamine scandal. On-site consumption at agritourism venues is not explicitly addressed by commercial regulations.
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Colombia
Pasteurization required for commercial milk under Decree 616/2006. Traditional raw milk sales at local markets and directly from farms are widely practiced with minimal enforcement.
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Costa Rica
Pasteurization required for commercially sold milk under SENASA and Ministerio de Salud regulations. Farm-direct raw milk sales occur informally; enforcement has been more active than in some regional neighbors.
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Croatia
Farm vending machines operate across the country. Growing consumer adoption documented in academic research.
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Cyprus
EU member state operating under EU Regulation (EC) No 853/2004. Farm-direct raw milk sales practiced with traditional small-scale sheep and goat dairy production. Veterinary Services oversees compliance.
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Czech Republic
Legal at farm and via registered vending machines. Registration with the regional State Veterinary Administration required. Mandatory heat-treat-before-use warning.
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Denmark
Farm-gate sales to consumers are legal. Raw milk may also be supplied by farms directly to food businesses such as shops and restaurants.
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Faroe Islands
Autonomous territory of Denmark with its own food safety framework. Traditional sheep dairy culture; raw milk is consumed locally. Not bound by EU food law.
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Greenland
Autonomous territory of Denmark with its own government. Local dairy farming is minimal given the Arctic climate; traditional consumption of raw dairy from reindeer herding occurs. Not bound by EU food law.
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Ecuador
Pasteurization required under INEN NTE standards and ARCSA regulations. Traditional farm-direct and market sales of raw milk are widely practiced, particularly in highland dairy regions.
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Egypt
Approximately 85% of milk sold in Egypt is loose, raw milk distributed by street vendors, in bags, or directly from farmers. Raw milk is the dominant urban market form and a long-standing consumer preference, particularly for buffalo milk.
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El Salvador
Pasteurization required under MAG and Ministerio de Salud regulations. Traditional farm-direct and market sales of raw milk are practiced, particularly in rural areas.
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Estonia
Legal for veterinary-certified farms. Sold through vending machines, farmers markets, and grocery stores. Agriculture and Food Board certification and bi-monthly pathogen testing required.
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Ethiopia
No specific statutory prohibition on raw milk consumer sales has been identified. Raw milk consumption is near-universal across most of the country; the formal pasteurized sector serves only major cities. Extensive pastoralist communities (Afar, Somali, Oromo) consume raw milk and camel milk as dietary staples.
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Finland
Packaged raw milk sold in retail supermarkets including K-citymarket and Prisma. Online or distance orders require collection from the farm.
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France
Legal via farm gate, vending machines, and packaged retail distribution under the Arrete du 13 juillet 2012. Prefectural authorization required with no volume or distance restrictions.
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French Guiana
French law applies. Raw milk legal via farm gate, vending machines, and retail under the Arrêté du 13 juillet 2012. Local dairy production is limited given the territory's equatorial climate.
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Guadeloupe
French law applies. Raw milk legal via farm gate, vending machines, and retail under the Arrêté du 13 juillet 2012. Local cattle farming present across the archipelago.
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Martinique
French law applies. Raw milk legal via farm gate, vending machines, and retail under the Arrêté du 13 juillet 2012. Small local dairy sector present.
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Mayotte
French law applies following Mayotte's accession as a full overseas department in 2011. Raw milk legal under the Arrêté du 13 juillet 2012; local dairy production is minimal.
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Réunion
French law applies. Raw milk legal via farm gate, vending machines, and retail under the Arrêté du 13 juillet 2012. Active local dairy sector in the island's cooler upland regions.
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Germany
Certified Vorzugsmilch sold in retail shops. Unpackaged raw milk also sold direct at farm gate with same-day production and a mandatory boil warning.
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Ghana
Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority requires pasteurization for commercial milk under the Public Health Act 2012, but approximately 90% of milk traders do not pasteurize. Nunu, a spontaneously fermented raw milk product, is a traditional food in Ghana's northern regions.
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Greece
Commercial pasteurization required under national food law. Direct farm sales and informal retail are widely practiced in rural areas with minimal enforcement.
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Hungary
Farm milk taps and direct farm sales operate across the country as part of the broader Central European vending machine trend.
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India
Raw milk is widely consumed through the traditional milkman (doodhwala) system. FSSAI regulations require pasteurization for organized commercial dairy, but direct small-quantity producer-to-consumer sales are a recognized traditional practice.
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Iran
ISIRI standards require pasteurization for commercially sold milk, but raw milk is openly sold in retail markets across Iran in practice. A study in Shiraz province found 18.75% of raw milk retail samples positive for Brucella, confirming widespread informal distribution. Cultural preference for fresh unprocessed milk is strong.
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Ireland
Legal for registered producers via farm gate, farmers markets, and local independent retailers within the farm supply area.
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Israel
One of the strictest dairy regulatory environments in the region. The Israel Dairy Board explicitly states that milk may only be sold to licensed dairies and farmers may not sell directly to consumers. In practice, raw goat and sheep milk circulates informally in Bedouin and Arab communities in the Negev and northern villages, where door-to-door trade is a culturally embedded norm. Enforcement is essentially absent in these rural areas.
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Italy
Legal at farm or licensed farm-gate outlets. Strict monthly microbiological testing, mandatory labeling, and a biennial Raw-Milk Operator certificate required.
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Japan
On-farm consumption (bokujō innyō / 牧場飲用) is the only legal pathway. Commercial sale requires pasteurization under the Ministerial Ordinance on Milk and Dairy Products. Some farms offer raw milk to on-site visitors.
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Jordan
No formal retail pathway for raw milk. Approximately 5% of Jordan's milk supply moves through informal door-to-door channels without processing. Bedouin communities in southern Jordan consume raw goat, sheep, and camel milk as a cultural staple; 92% of camel milk consumers in these communities drink it raw.
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Kazakhstan
No explicit ban on raw milk retail; as an EAEU founding member, TR CU 033/2013 governs dairy products on paper. Raw milk is widely sold at informal bazaars with minimal enforcement outside licensed commercial operations.
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Kenya
Urban raw milk sales and hawking are banned under the Dairy Industry Regulations, 2021. The only legal raw milk pathway is a narrow rural exception: producers may sell small quantities directly to neighboring consumers without resale. Active enforcement campaign underway as of 2026.
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Kosovo
Traditional dairy culture with informal farm-to-consumer raw milk sales consistent with the regional pattern.
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Kuwait
Raw milk circulates in a regulatory grey zone. The Ministry of Health has issued warnings against unlicensed raw milk sales at farms, homes, and shops across Kuwait. At least one commercial service openly delivers raw cow milk to consumers. No formal retail licensing pathway has been confirmed.
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Kyrgyzstan
No explicit ban on raw milk retail; as an EAEU member, TR CU 033/2013 applies. Raw milk is very widely produced and sold at markets throughout the country, including significant informal cross-border trade with Kazakhstan.
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Latvia
Retail sale authorized by PVD. Raw milk available in grocery stores in Riga and direct from farms. Authorization and laboratory testing required for producers.
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Lebanon
Extensive informal artisanal raw milk sector centered in the Bekaa Valley. Ministry of Agriculture farm registration is required but no retail-level pasteurization mandate is consistently enforced. Lebanon became home to the region's first RAWMI-listed dairy in December 2025.
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Lithuania
Direct farm sales to consumers are legal. Retail shop sales are not permitted.
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Mexico
Federally prohibited under NOM-243-SSA1-2010, but widely sold informally at markets and farms with minimal enforcement.
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Monaco
No local dairy production. French food safety law applies in practice via the France-Monaco customs union, making retail raw milk — legal in France — accessible through French supply chains.
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Mongolia
Street sale of raw milk is technically prohibited under the Food Safety Law (2012); raw milk may be sold through licensed one-stop milk sales centers. A large informal market of direct producer sales operates alongside certified channels, with minimal enforcement.
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Montenegro
Traditional rural dairy culture with informal farm-to-consumer sales widely practiced. No formal consumer raw milk authorization framework confirmed.
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Morocco
Moroccan law explicitly requires all milk for human consumption to be industrially pasteurized under Decree No. 2-00-425 (2000) and Law No. 28-07 on food safety. ONSSA enforces for licensed facilities. Informal peri-urban sales are tolerated in practice but the legal prohibition is clear.
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Nepal
Raw cow and buffalo milk is widely sold through farms, local cooperatives, and traditional milkman channels. No formal consumer raw milk framework exists; traditional direct sales operate without specific legal authorization.
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Netherlands
Legal at farm and through local retailers supplying directly to consumers. Enhanced monthly hygiene testing required under 2025 rules.
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Bonaire
Special municipality of the Netherlands. Dutch food safety standards apply; EU Regulation 853/2004 does not apply directly as BES islands are Overseas Countries and Territories. Local dairy is minimal; farm-direct raw milk sales informal.
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Saba
Special municipality of the Netherlands. Dutch food safety standards apply in principle; EU Regulation 853/2004 does not apply directly. Tiny island with minimal dairy production.
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Sint Eustatius
Special municipality of the Netherlands. Dutch food safety standards apply in principle; EU Regulation 853/2004 does not apply directly. Small island with minimal dairy production.
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New Zealand
Legal via farm gate, home delivery, and MPI-registered depot operators. Producers must register under the Regulated Control Scheme.
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Nigeria
NAFDAC regulations require pasteurization for commercially sold milk, but approximately 95% of Nigerian milk production moves through informal Fulani pastoral channels without processing. Nono and fura da nono are widely consumed traditional fermented raw milk products.
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North Macedonia
Traditional dairy market with farm-direct raw milk sales common. No formal consumer raw milk framework confirmed.
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Norway
Sale of raw milk to consumers is illegal. A 2017 proposal to allow limited farm sales was reviewed and rejected. Raw milk cheese has been permitted since 2002.
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Oman
No consumer retail pathway for raw milk. Oman follows GSO 984:2015. Government dairy development actively promotes a pasteurized commercial supply chain, including for camel milk. Traditional raw camel milk consumption occurs among nomadic and semi-nomadic communities in Dhofar and southern Oman.
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Pakistan
Raw milk is the predominant consumer form, distributed through the traditional milkman (dodhi) system. Pasteurization is required for formal packaged retail but is minimally enforced in the informal sector.
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Peru
Pasteurization required for commercial milk under Norma Técnica Peruana NTP 202.001. Traditional farm-direct and market sales widely practiced, particularly in Andean dairy regions.
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Poland
No formal legal pathway for consumer raw milk sales. Direct farm sales are widely practiced across the country with minimal enforcement.
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Portugal
Direct farm supply of small quantities of raw cow milk is legal under Portaria n.o 74/2014. DGAV authorization required.
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Azores
Portuguese law and EU Regulation 853/2004 apply. Farm-direct raw milk sales practiced in an archipelago renowned for its dairy heritage — notably São Miguel's grass-fed cattle and Queijo São Jorge.
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Madeira
Portuguese law and EU Regulation 853/2004 apply. Small local dairy sector present; farm-direct raw milk sales practiced under the same framework as mainland Portugal.
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Puerto Rico
Pasteurization required for commercially sold milk under Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture Regulation No. 70. No intrastate raw milk exemption is known to exist.
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Qatar
No consumer retail pathway for raw milk. Qatar's Ministry of Public Health enforces food safety standards under Food Law No. 8 of 1990 and follows GCC/GSO harmonized pasteurization requirements for commercially sold milk.
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Romania
Farm vending machines in operation. Promoted as part of short food supply chain development for Romanian farms.
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Russia
Raw milk sold at farm markets and directly from producers under EAEU Technical Regulation TR EAEU 033/2013, which explicitly recognizes farm-to-consumer raw milk sales as a permitted category.
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Rwanda
Formal framework channels milk through licensed Milk Collection Centers; over 60% of the market remains informal raw milk. Traditional fermented raw milk (Ikivuguto) is a cultural staple.
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Saudi Arabia
No formal pathway for raw cow or goat milk. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) enforces pasteurization requirements under GSO 984:2015. Raw camel milk is sold informally at roadside stalls and directly from Bedouin farms, a practice considered culturally distinct from commercial dairy.
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Senegal
Milk collection in Senegal is almost entirely informal and raw. No specific statutory prohibition on raw milk consumer sales has been identified. Lait caille (spontaneously fermented raw milk) is the primary traditional dairy product across the country.
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Serbia
Legal through a two-tier system of registered and approved small-scale dairy plants. Raw milk sold at farm, local green markets, and local retail outlets under Veterinary Directorate oversight.
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Slovakia
Farm vending machines operate across the country under the EU hygiene framework.
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Slovenia
Legal at farm, through mlekomat vending machines since 2010, and in retail shops since 2018. Over 100 machines registered nationwide.
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South Africa
Legal only in local authority jurisdictions listed in Annex C of R1555. Producing herds must be enrolled in the national TB and Brucellosis schemes.
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Spain
Nationally prohibited since 1990 but widely practiced with minimal enforcement. Catalonia established an explicit legal framework for direct farm sales in 2018.
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Sweden
Farm-gate sales legal for registered producers up to 70 litres per week. A written warning that the milk may contain harmful bacteria is required. Retail shops are not permitted to sell raw milk.
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Switzerland
Sold through approximately 400 farm vending machines. Swiss food regulations require machines to carry a notice that the milk requires heating before consumption.
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Tajikistan
No confirmed prohibition on raw milk sales; veterinary certification is technically required for commercial sale of animal products. Tajikistan is not an EAEU member; enforcement capacity is severely limited and raw milk is widely sold at bazaars.
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Tanzania
Formally prohibited under the 2007 Dairy Industry Regulations, but approximately 95% of the national milk supply is sold through informal channels without processing. Maasai and other pastoralist communities consume and sell raw milk as a dietary and cultural staple.
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Turkey
Raw milk sold at weekly bazaars and directly from small producers. Formal commercial retail requires pasteurization under the Turkish Food Codex, but farm-direct and market sales are traditional and widely tolerated.
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Turkmenistan
No confirmed ban on raw milk sales; regulated by national standards based on Soviet-era GOST norms administered by Turkmenstandart. Traditional camel milk (chal) is culturally significant and widely produced and consumed.
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Uganda
DDA licensing required for milk vendors; in practice approximately 90% of the milk supply moves through informal channels as raw milk. A proposed urban ban announced in 2021 has not been implemented.
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Ukraine
Raw milk widely sold at farm markets and directly from producers. Formal EU-aligned regulatory framework exists under the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection, but enforcement is minimal.
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United Arab Emirates
No formal licensing pathway for raw milk retail exists under UAE Cabinet Resolution No. 29 of 2018. In practice, farm-direct and grey-market raw milk sales are accessible: delivery services openly advertise unpasteurized cow, goat, camel, and buffalo milk. Raw camel milk from family farms is widely consumed; a 2022 study found 58% of camel milk consumers in the UAE drink it unpasteurized.
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Uzbekistan
No confirmed ban on raw milk retail; Cabinet of Ministers Decree No. 474 (2017) established a technical regulation for dairy products. Raw milk and traditional fermented dairy products are widely produced and sold at bazaars.
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Venezuela
Formal regulations require pasteurization for commercial milk. Raw milk is widely consumed through traditional farm and market channels, with enforcement of commercial standards significantly reduced in recent years.
View Venezuela laws →
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What is raw milk and where does it come from?
Raw milk is unpasteurized milk that comes directly from the mammary glands of dairy animals including cows, goats, sheep, camels, alpacas, buffalo, donkeys, and other mammals.
Raw milk has not been treated or subjected to boiling, pasteurization, homogenization, UV radiation, high-pressure processing, or any other process meant to alter its composition.
Raw milk is milked, filtered, cooled, bottled, and sold direct-to-consumer, customers, cheese makers, or retailers.
When you choose raw milk, you are supporting farmers directly - instead of corporate milk processors.
What are the two types of raw milk?
There are two distinct categories of raw milk: raw milk intended for human consumption and raw milk intended for pasteurization.
Raw milk for human consumption is produced under strict food safety standards with rigorous testing, handling, and facility requirements. This milk is safe to drink directly from the bottle.
Raw milk for pasteurization is produced for commercial processing and is not intended to be consumed raw. This category has less stringent safety requirements because it will be heat-treated before consumption.
Why do people choose raw milk over pasteurized milk?
Raw milk is growing in popularity around the world for reasons related to nutrition, food security, local farming support, and fairness in the production of dairy products.
Many consumers believe raw milk offers nutritional benefits and better taste compared to pasteurized alternatives. Read more about the reasons people choose raw milk.
How do I find raw milk near me?
Use the raw milk finder to locate raw milk near you, explore the global raw milk map, or browse raw milk sources by country.
There are filtered directories for raw cow milk, A2 raw cow milk, all raw milk with A2 protein, raw goat milk, raw sheep milk, raw donkey milk, raw buffalo milk, raw camel milk, raw milk butter, raw milk cream, raw milk ice cream, raw milk cheese, and raw milk kefir.
Discover farms approved by The Raw Milk Institute and follow raw milk producers on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Is raw milk legal? What are the laws by state and country?
Raw milk legality varies by location. In the USA, raw milk sales are permitted or prohibited at the state level. Consuming raw milk is not illegal anywhere, but selling it is regulated differently in each state.
Some states welcome raw milk sales in grocery stores, usually in the natural food section. Other states require herdshare membership or specific licensing to distribute raw milk.
California allows raw milk widely in grocery stores. Kentucky requires a physician's note for raw goat milk. Florida permits raw milk sales through feed licensing. Australia restricts raw milk to cosmetic purposes. England bottles milk just like the United States. In France, and many other parts of Europe, raw milk is dispensed through retailers and standalone vending machines.
Explore the complete Raw Milk Law Map And Library for your region.
Is raw milk safe to drink? What do the statistics show?
As of 2014, more than 10 million people in the United States consumed raw milk, according to Costard et al. This number has skyrocketed since 2020. Statistics show that raw milk consumers experience illness and hospitalization at rates far below other common foods, including leafy greens, chicken, and raw oysters.
Raw milk illness rate is low per serving consumed and per consumer
Learn how raw milk safety compares to other foods
| Food / outcome | Rate per consumer | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Raw milk (illness)1 | 1 in 14,250 | 0.007% |
| Raw milk (hospitalization)1 | 1 in 500,000 | 0.0002% |
| Leafy greens (illness)2 | 1 in 122 | 0.82% |
| Chicken (illness)3 | 1 in 222 | 0.45% |
| Raw oysters (illness)4 | 1 in 288 | 0.347% |
1 Costard et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases (CDC), 2017 · 2 Yang & Scharff, Journal of Food Protection, 2024 · 3 ScienceDirect: Foodborne Illness Source Attribution for Meat and Poultry · 4 CDC: Vibrio and Vibriosis
All food carries some risk, and raw milk is no exception. However, risk can be mitigated through proper handling. Commercial raw milk production requires clean facilities, quality equipment, and rigorous procedures.
Understand how raw milk recalls work and what safety protocols ensure producers maintain the highest standards.
To learn more about food safety, microbe testing, recommended equipment, and production best practices, consult The Raw Milk Institute in California.
What is GetRawMilk.com and how does it work?
GetRawMilk.com is a bootstrapped, community-driven platform designed to connect raw milk farmers and retailers with consumers worldwide. The mission is to make it easy to find locally-produced raw milk.
Each farm or retailer listing includes comprehensive information such as:
- Farm or retail location and map
- Delivery locations and radius
- Official website and social media
- Contact information and hours
- Raw milk availability and types
- Animal breeds and species
- Other products available
- Community reports
GetRawMilk.com relies on user contributions to keep the database accurate and up-to-date. Your support helps maintain and grow the raw milk ecosystem.
How can you support GetRawMilk.com?
Help grow the raw milk community by sharing GetRawMilk.com with friends and family, adding a new farm or retailer to the map, and reporting any outdated information.
Leave a tip using Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card, Bitcoin, or Ethereum to keep the project running.
Purchase GetRawMilk merchandise including shirts, cups, and hats to spread awareness.
Explore additional ways to support GetRawMilk.com.
Other resources for supporting local food
Looking for restaurants that avoid seed oils? Check out LocalFats.com for a directory of seed oil free restaurants. You can search by cooking oil type including beef tallow, olive oil, pork lard, real butter, real ghee, duck fat, peanut oil, and coconut oil.
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Latest Blog Posts
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How Long Does Raw Milk Last? A Complete Storage Guide
How long raw milk actually lasts depends on starting quality and storage temperature, not a fixed number. A complete, research-backed guide to storing it well.
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Does Natural Souring Protect Raw Milk From Pathogens?
Lactic acid bacteria in soured raw milk measurably inhibit major pathogens in lab testing, but the effect has real, documented limits.
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Cold Agglutination: The Real Reason Cream Rises Fast in Raw Milk
An IgM-lipoprotein complex clusters fat globules together in cold raw milk, accelerating creaming well beyond what density alone would predict.
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How Cold Changes Milk’s Protein Structure
Refrigerating milk causes one of its four major casein proteins to leave its normal structure entirely, a reversible effect documented since 1977.
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Spontaneous Lipolysis: When Cooling Alone Triggers Rancidity
In some cows’ milk, simply cooling it after milking is enough to trigger rancidity, no bacteria or physical damage required.
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What Actually Happens to Raw Milk When You Freeze It
Freezing raw milk causes real structural damage from ice crystals, and how you freeze and thaw it changes how much. Here is what the research documents.