Yes, raw milk sales are permitted in New York under strict conditions, but only through specific channels.
Raw milk is legal in New York when sold directly from farms or through licensed herd-share agreements, provided producers comply with New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) regulations and undergo regular inspections. The 2026 amendments to Public Health Law §2250 further tightened testing protocols for pathogens like E. coli and Listeria, mandating quarterly bacterial counts and somatic cell counts below 750,000/ml. Retail sales remain prohibited, and all producers must register with NYSDAM, which enforces pasteurization exemptions solely for on-farm consumption or herd-share models.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in New York
- Direct Farm Sales Only: Raw milk may only be sold on the premises of the producing farm or via herd-share agreements; third-party retail distribution is illegal under Agriculture and Markets Law §16.
- Mandatory Testing & Labeling: Producers must conduct monthly pathogen testing (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter) and display prominent labels warning of health risks, including the NYSDAM-approved statement: “Raw milk may contain harmful bacteria.”
- Herd-Share Compliance: Herd-share programs require written agreements between producers and consumers, with NYSDAM-registered dairies supplying shares; shares must not be resold or distributed off-site.