Newfoundland and Labrador bars sale of unpasteurised milk for human consumption, except to a dairy plant for pasteurisation before distribution.
Newfoundland and Labrador has the smallest dairy production base of the Atlantic provinces and imports a substantial share of its fluid milk from the mainland, which leaves little practical scope for a farm-direct market even setting the prohibition aside.
Milk intended for human consumption may not be sold or offered for sale unless it has been pasteurized in accordance with the regulations, with the exception of milk sold to a dairy plant to be pasteurized before further distribution. The relevant instruments are the Natural Products Marketing Act, the Milk Scheme, 1998 and the Milk Regulations, 1998 (N.L.R. 69/98), alongside the Food Premises Act, which governs food establishments in the province.
As elsewhere in Canada, drinking milk from one's own animals is not an offence. There is no herdshare, cow-share or on-farm sales provision.
There is no legal source of raw drinking milk in Newfoundland and Labrador. Aged raw milk cheese is legal under the federal 60 day rule and is generally available through specialty retailers rather than local production. For the national picture, see the Canada raw milk laws overview.
Official government documents and legal resources for Newfoundland and Labrador
Regulations under the Milk Scheme, 1998 and the Natural Products Marketing Act governing milk production and marketing in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the pasteurization requirement for milk sold for human consumption.
View Official Resource →The federal provision prohibiting the sale of unpasteurized milk nationwide since 1991. Subsection (2) exempts cheese, and food sold for further processing in order to pasteurize it.
View Official Resource →
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