United States Raw Milk Laws & Regulations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.