No. Raw milk sales are banned nationwide in China under GB 19301-2010, enforced by the National Health Commission and SAMR. Dairy producers may only sell pasteurized or sterilized milk; violations trigger fines up to ¥30,000. Unpasteurized milk remains accessible only via direct farm sales in rural areas where local health bureaus permit it under provincial pilot schemes, but these exemptions are rare and tightly monitored.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in China
- GB 19301-2010 Standard: Mandates pasteurization or UHT treatment; raw milk does not meet safety thresholds for pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella.
- SAMR Enforcement: Market Supervision Administration and local bureaus conduct unannounced inspections; online platforms face platform liability for selling unpasteurized products.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Draft amendments to the Food Safety Law propose stricter penalties, including license revocation for repeat offenders, aligning with WHO risk classifications.
Cross-border e-commerce channels (e.g., Daigou) are also prohibited from importing raw milk under Announcement No. 25 [2022] by the General Administration of Customs, which classifies it as a high-risk animal product. Provincial exceptions, such as Hunan’s 2023 rural pilot program, require farms to register with the local CDC and undergo weekly microbial testing. Non-compliance risks criminal liability under Criminal Law Article 143 for endangering public health.