By Doug Farquhar
Got raw milk? In 12 states you can buy raw milk in a store.
While the federal government still considers it a health hazard and prohibits its sale across state lines, states are becoming more open to the idea allowing the sale of raw milk.
In the United States, milk is governed through a series of state rules and regulations based on the federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, or PMO.
This ordinance guides the state programs to ensure that no major milk-borne disease outbreaks occur.
Forty-six states have adopted many or all of the provisions of the PMO. California, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania have not adopted the PMO, but have their enacted their own strict milk safety laws.
The PMO provides for national standards regarding the production, processing, packaging and sale of Grade “A” milk and milk products, a program in which every state and the District of Columbia participate.
States oversee all milk products produced and sold in their state. Milk products sold over state lines are subject to federal oversight, which will accept state PMO certification.
Learn more about raw milk laws.
Doug Farquhar is NCSL's program director for Environmental Health.
Email Doug.