Texas Raw Milk Laws & Regulations

Texas gives raw milk buyers something most states do not: the producer can bring it to you. Permitted farms may sell at the farm and deliver directly to consumers in the producer's own vehicle, which means access is not limited to people who can drive out to the dairy.

Is raw milk legal in Texas?

Yes. Texas Health and Safety Code chapter 435 and 25 TAC 217.31 authorise raw milk sales by farms holding a raw milk permit from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Permitted producers meet herd health, testing, sanitation and labelling requirements, and the permit is a public credential, so licensed farms advertise and are easy to identify.

Farm delivery

Texas is one of a small number of states that expressly authorises a producer to deliver raw milk to the consumer in the producer's own vehicle. A 2021 regulatory update broadened this authority, and Texas farmers described it as a significant gain in reach. In practice it means a licensed dairy several hours from a city can still serve customers there through a scheduled delivery route, and many do.

Where to buy

Licensed farms serve the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio metro areas through a combination of on-farm sales and delivery routes, and producers are spread across East Texas, the Hill Country, the Blackland Prairie and the Panhandle. Because delivery is permitted, most Texans in or near a metro area can arrange a regular supply without a long drive. Purchase is direct from the permitted producer, at the farm or on their delivery route, rather than through grocery retail. DSHS maintains the permit programme and is the authoritative starting point for identifying licensed farms. For the federal framework, see the United States raw milk laws overview.