No. Raw milk sales are prohibited in New Zealand under the Animal Products Act 1999, with limited exceptions for raw drinking milk (RDM) under strict MPI oversight. MPI’s 2026 compliance framework tightens producer registration, testing, and labeling requirements to mitigate food safety risks. Direct-to-consumer raw milk sales remain illegal, though some dairy processors operate under restricted licenses.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in New Zealand
- MPI Licensing: Only licensed processors may produce raw drinking milk (RDM) under MPI’s Risk Management Programme (RMP), with mandatory pathogen testing (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) at least weekly.
- Distribution Limits: RDM must be sold chilled (≤6°C) in tamper-evident packaging, with sales restricted to the producer’s farm or via approved retail channels (e.g., farmers’ markets with MPI approval).
- Consumer Warnings: Labels must include “Raw Milk – Not for Children, Pregnant Women, or Immunocompromised Individuals” in 12pt font, per MPI’s 2024 labeling directive.
Non-compliance risks prosecution under the Food Act 2014, with penalties up to $500,000 for corporations. MPI’s 2026 audits will enforce stricter traceability systems, including batch-level tracking for all RDM products. Imported raw milk remains banned under Biosecurity Act 1993.