Raw milk survey provides new facts

WASHINGTON — The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has released updated results from a 50-state raw milk survey.

In 2004, the Dairy Division of the association conducted a raw milk survey to gather information about the regulation and sale of raw milk in the United States.

The food regulation and nutrition committee recently requested that the 2004 survey be updated.

Questionnaire

A short questionnaire was sent to state regulatory milk program directors and/or managers in all 50 states in January 2008. Of the 50 states surveyed, 29 states authorize the legal sale of raw milk, in some specified manner, for direct human consumption.

The remaining 21 states prohibit the sale of raw milk to consumers.

Of the 29 states where raw milk sales are allowed in some form, 17 states restrict legal sales to occur only on the farm where the milk is produced. The survey shows that 13 states allow the sale of raw milk at retail stores separate from the farm.