Raw milk sales are legal in West Virginia under HB 4911 (2024) and a 2025 rule. Any seller may offer labeled raw milk and products; no license is needed.
How many Americans drink raw milk and how many states allow it: raw milk statistics.
West Virginia legalized raw milk sales when House Bill 4911 passed in March 2024; it became law without the governor's signature and took effect June 7, 2024, amending West Virginia Code §19-1-7 so sellers may offer labeled raw milk to consumers without a license or permit. Prior to HB 4911, raw milk sales were prohibited in West Virginia under rules requiring pasteurization for all commercially sold milk, and herdshares had been the legal route to raw milk since Senate Bill 387 took effect in May 2016. The law requires no license or permit; sellers must label each container as unpasteurized raw milk with the seller's name and address, the production date and a health warning. The statute does not limit where in the state sales take place.
A West Virginia Department of Agriculture rule, 61 CSR 41, took effect May 8, 2025. It defines a seller as any person or entity offering raw milk for sale to a consumer, makes it lawful to transport, sell and possess raw milk and raw milk products within the state, and requires raw milk to be kept between 35 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit until sale. Labels must be in English and waterproof ink and list the contents and quantity. Herdshares remain available alongside direct sales.
West Virginia joins a growing list of states that have legalized raw milk sales since 2020. The state's rural character and farming communities are expected to support a growing raw milk market.
Latest developments and news related to raw milk in West Virginia
West Virginia legislators and staff reported illness after consuming raw milk at a legislative event shortly before the raw milk legalization bill passed, sparking a national debate.
Read Article →House Bill 4911 legalizes raw milk sales in West Virginia, ending decades of prohibition.
Read Article →West Virginia introduces multiple bills in 2024 to legalize farm-direct raw milk sales, moving toward ending the state's prohibition.
Read Article →Official government documents and legal resources for West Virginia
West Virginia law effective June 7, 2024 allowing labeled raw milk sales to consumers without a license; it became law without the governor's signature.
View Official Resource →Current statute: raw milk may be sold to consumers in West Virginia if labeled as unpasteurized with the seller, production date and a health warning.
View Official Resource →State rule effective May 8, 2025 making it lawful to transport, sell and possess raw milk and raw milk products in West Virginia, with storage and labeling standards.
View Official Resource →West Virginia law signed March 4, 2016 allowing shared animal ownership agreements for raw milk, effective May 2016.
View Official Resource →Raw milk law changes in West Virginia, newest first. Compare with every other state in the West Virginia raw milk law timeline.
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