SB 108

Current law generally prohibits the sale of unpasteurized (commonly called

raw) milk and other milk products and prohibits the sale to consumers of milk or milk

products that are not grade A milk or milk products. Current law requires a dairy

farmer to have a milk producer license from the Department of Agriculture, Trade

and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and requires a grade A permit from DATCP to

sell grade A milk. Also under current law, DATCP promulgates rules governing the

operation of dairy farms and the testing and quality of milk.

This bill allows a dairy farmer with a license and a grade A permit to register

with DATCP for the purpose of selling unpasteurized milk and milk products. The

bill also allows a dairy farmer who does not have a license or a grade A permit to

register with DATCP if the farmer milks fewer than 20 cows. A dairy farmer who

registers with DATCP may sell unpasteurized milk and milk products directly to a

consumer on the farm if the dairy farmer or the consumer provides a sanitary

container, the container is filled in a sanitary manner, and the dairy farmer posts a

sign stating "Raw milk products sold here. Raw milk products are not pasteurized."

Also, under the bill, DATCP's rules governing the operation of dairy farms and

the testing and quality of milk do not apply to a registered dairy farmer without a

license or a grade A permit if the farmer milks fewer than 20 cows.