Yes, raw milk sales are legal in Kansas under strict state oversight. Kansas permits the sale of raw milk directly from farms to consumers or at farmers’ markets, provided producers comply with Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) licensing and inspection requirements. A 2024 amendment to K.A.R. 4-16-10a expanded on-farm sales but maintained prohibitions on retail distribution, aligning with 2026 FDA guidance on intrastate raw milk commerce.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Kansas
- Licensing Requirement: Producers must obtain a KDA-issued raw milk permit, renewable annually, after passing health inspections and water quality tests. Unlicensed sales constitute a misdemeanor under K.S.A. 65-636.
- Direct-to-Consumer Only: Raw milk may only be sold on-farm or at licensed farmers’ markets; third-party retail sales (e.g., grocery stores) are prohibited. Delivery services are restricted to the producer’s county of operation.
- Labeling and Warning Mandates: Containers must display a KDA-approved label with the statement: “This product has not been pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria.” Producers face civil penalties for mislabeling under K.S.A. 65-637.