No, raw milk sales are prohibited nationwide under NOM-243-SSA1-2010 due to food safety risks. Exemptions exist only for direct producer-to-consumer sales in rural areas, subject to COFEPRIS inspections. The 2026 update tightens enforcement, requiring mandatory pasteurization labeling for all dairy products.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Mexico
- NOM-243-SSA1-2010: Bans raw milk distribution except for unprocessed sales to local consumers in municipalities with <50,000 inhabitants, under COFEPRIS oversight.
- COFEPRIS Circular 2023-001: Mandates pasteurization for all commercial dairy entering urban supply chains; raw milk may only be sold as “queso fresco” if aged ≥60 days (per NOM-120-SSA1-1994).
- State-Level Variations: Jalisco and Chihuahua enforce stricter local bans, requiring sanitary permits for any raw milk transactions, even in rural zones.
Non-compliance triggers fines up to MXN$1.2M (≈USD$70k) or criminal liability under the Federal Criminal Code (Art. 397). Imported raw milk faces immediate detention by SADER’s SENASICA, with re-exportation mandatory. The 2026 regulatory framework aligns with Codex Alimentarius standards, eliminating prior grandfather clauses for artisanal producers.