Yes, raw milk sales are permitted in Puerto Rico under strict agricultural and public health oversight. The Ley de Inocuidad Alimentaria de Puerto Rico (Law 427-2000) and Reglamento 8139 (2021) authorize raw milk sales exclusively through licensed dairy farms or authorized retailers, with mandatory labeling and testing protocols enforced by the Departamento de Agricultura (DA) and Departamento de Salud.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Puerto Rico
- Licensing & Source Restrictions: Only dairy farms registered with the DA and compliant with Reglamento 8139 may sell raw milk. Direct-to-consumer sales require a Permiso de Venta Directa from the DA, prohibiting interstate distribution.
- Testing & Safety Mandates: Raw milk must undergo weekly bacterial (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella) and somatic cell count testing. Results must be publicly posted at point of sale, with thresholds set by the Departamento de Salud.
- Labeling & Consumer Warnings: Containers must display a DA-approved label in Spanish, including: “Este producto no ha sido pasteurizado” and a health advisory warning vulnerable populations (e.g., children, immunocompromised individuals) against consumption.