Yes, raw milk sales are legal in New Hampshire under strict state oversight. Licensed dairy farms may sell raw milk directly to consumers on-farm or at farmers’ markets, but distribution via retail stores is prohibited. The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food (NHDAMF) enforces testing protocols, including monthly bacterial and somatic cell counts, with a 2026 mandate for enhanced pasteurization compliance training for producers.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in New Hampshire
- Direct-to-Consumer Sales Only: Raw milk may only be sold by licensed producers at the farm or approved farmers’ markets; third-party retail distribution is banned under NH RSA 426:13.
- Mandatory Testing & Labeling: Producers must submit monthly samples to NHDAMF for E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella testing, with results displayed on labels alongside a warning: “This product has not been pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria.”
- Producer Licensing & Inspections: Farms must obtain a Raw Milk Producer License, undergo biannual NHDAMF inspections, and comply with 2026’s new Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) training requirement for raw milk handlers.
Violations trigger immediate license suspension and potential civil penalties under NH Code Env-Ws 803.03. The state’s approach balances consumer access with public health safeguards, reflecting ongoing federal pressure to align with FDA’s raw milk restrictions.