Legal at the farm and through local shops, including frozen raw milk farms can ship. Farm milk taps test twice a month for bacteria and monthly for pathogens.
Raw milk (rauwe melk) is sold across the Netherlands from farm milk taps (melktaps), farm shops and local retailers. Since 1 January 2025 the rules sit in Articles 8 and 8a of the Warenwetbesluit hygiëne van levensmiddelen, which also allow farms to freeze raw milk and ship it.
Yes. Raw milk and raw cream for direct human consumption may be supplied by the farm where they were produced directly to consumers, or to local retail businesses that sell directly to consumers. The rules were updated by a decree of 14 June 2024 (Staatsblad 2024, 180), in force from 1 January 2025.
Containers of raw milk, other than the milk tank, must show the date and time of milking.
Farms selling raw milk test it for total plate count at 30°C at least twice a month, at the end of its storage period and no later than 72 hours after production. The limits are 25,000 per ml for cow and buffalo milk, 50,000 for camel, horse and donkey milk, and 100,000 for goat, sheep and other milk. Milk is also tested at least once a month for Salmonella, Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The pathogen testing frequency halves after six consecutive months of compliant results. Records are kept for two years.
Raw milk packaging, or a sign beside the tap when milk is packed on collection, must read: "RAUWE MELK * GEBRUIKEN OP DE DAG VAN AANKOOP * GEEF SCHADELIJKE BACTERIËN GEEN KANS * KOKEN VOOR GEBRUIK AANBEVOLEN" (raw milk, use on the day of purchase, give harmful bacteria no chance, boiling before use recommended). Raw cream carries the same notice beginning "RAUWE ROOM". The "use on the day of purchase" line may be left off when the package carries a best-before or use-by date.
Raw milk cheese has a long tradition in the Netherlands. Boerenkaas (farmhouse cheese) is made on the farm from raw milk and sold in cheese shops and markets nationwide.
Farm milk taps and shops are listed at raw milk in the Netherlands. For background on the testing rules, see Netherlands begins monthly testing of raw milk, and for Dutch research on raw milk, Raw milk research from the Netherlands.
Official government documents and legal resources for Netherlands
Dutch decree replacing Article 8 and adding Article 8a of the Warenwetbesluit hygiëne van levensmiddelen from 1 January 2025: sales channels, time limits, frozen milk, testing, plate count limits and the mandatory label.
View Official Resource →European Commission notification of the Dutch raw milk rule changes.
View Official Resource →EU regulation establishing specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, including raw milk. Provides the legal baseline for raw milk production and sales across EU member states.
View Official Resource →Select a jurisdiction to view its specific regulations.
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.
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.
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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