No, raw milk sales are prohibited in the Netherlands under the Warenwet (Commodities Act) and Besluit hygiëne levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (Decree on Hygiene of Food of Animal Origin). The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) enforces these rules, aligning with EU Regulation 853/2004, which classifies raw milk as a high-risk product due to potential pathogens like E. coli and Listeria. While vending machines for raw milk were briefly permitted under strict conditions in 2019, the NVWA tightened enforcement in 2021, citing persistent compliance failures. The 2026 EU Farm to Fork Strategy may further restrict raw milk access, though no Dutch-specific amendments have been proposed yet.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Netherlands
- Sale ban: Direct sale of raw milk to consumers is illegal under Warenwet Article 1.2, except for on-farm consumption under derogation (rarely granted).
- Processing restrictions: Milk must undergo pasteurization or sterilization per Besluit hygiëne levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong Article 3.2, with dairy processors audited by NVWA.
- Labeling mandates: Any dairy product claiming “raw” status must display pathogen risk warnings in Dutch, as per Warenwetbesluit etikettering levensmiddelen 2014.