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.
France has three legally distinct channels for raw milk sales, all governed by the Arrete du 13 juillet 2012 relatif aux conditions de production et de mise sur le marche de lait cru. Article 6 permits farm-packaged raw milk, sealed in hermetically closed individual containers, to be delivered to retail outlets. This is the basis for brands such as Bernard Gaborit distributing packaged raw milk through Biocoop and other specialist retailers nationwide.
Article 7 authorizes automated vending machines (distributeurs automatiques de lait cru) operated by individual farms, with daily milk replacement and temperature maintenance between 0°C and 4°C. Farm gate sales are also permitted. All channels require prefectural authorization, granted after verification of sanitary compliance. The authorization carries no time limit, volume restriction, or distance limitation from the producer.
Official government documents and legal resources for France
The primary French regulation governing raw milk production and marketing. Article 6 covers packaged retail distribution; Article 7 covers vending machines. In force from 1 October 2012.
View Official Resource →Official Ministry of Agriculture guidance on obtaining prefectural authorization to produce and sell raw milk in France.
View Official Resource →Search for raw milk sources near popular locations in France
Select a jurisdiction to view its specific regulations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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