MT DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK PO BOX 202001 HELENA, MONTANA 59620-2001 (406) 444-7323/FAX (406) 444-1929 livemail@mt.gov
ANIMAL HEALTH (406) 444-2976 BRANDS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION (406) 444-2045 CENTRALIZED SERVICES DIVISION (406) 444-4994 EXECUTIVE OFFICE (406) 444-9321 MEAT MILK & EGG INSPECTION (406) 444-5202
Raw milk is another name for unpasteurized milk. Unpasteurized milk has not been subjected to a heating process which kills pathogens and extends a product's shelf life.
The Montana Local Food Choice Act (MLFCA), passed by the 2021 legislature, allows for a “small dairy” to sell raw milk or cream, to an “informed end consumer”.
A "small dairy" is defined in 81-21-101 (3) MCA as "a place where no more than 5 lactating cows, 10 lactating goats, or 10 lactating sheep are kept for producing milk".
An “informed end consumer” is defined in 50-49-202 (4) MCA as “a person who is the last person to purchase a product, does not resell the product, and has been informed that the product is not licensed, permitted, certified, packaged, labeled, or inspected per any official regulations”.
The Environmental Health and Food Safety Section of the MT Department of Public Health has provided a guide to operators of small dairies. Click the link Raw Milk Guide for more information.
Claims that raw milk is a healthier alternative to pasteurized milk are not true. In fact, unpasteurized milk has caused numerous foodborne illness outbreaks. Unpasteurized milk has been documented to contain numerous disease-causing organisms such as Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Cryptosporidium. Children, the elderly, and individuals with a compromised immune system are most at risk. Ask your family healthcare provider