Can you sell milk in Texas?

Selling Milk in Texas: A Comprehensive Overview
In Texas, the sale of milk is regulated by a series of laws and permits that ensure safety and compliance with health standards. Whether you are looking to sell raw milk or pasteurized milk, understanding the legal landscape is crucial.
Raw Milk Sales
Raw milk, which is milk that has not been pasteurized, has specific regulations in Texas. To sell raw milk at retail, a Retail Milk Permit is mandatory. According to Texas law, anyone wishing to sell raw milk must comply with the regulations outlined in the Texas Administrative Code. This includes obtaining the necessary permits and adhering to strict health and safety standards to protect consumers from potential health risks associated with unpasteurized dairy products.
Moreover, raw milk can only be sold directly to consumers at the farm where it is produced. This means that middlemen or retail outlets cannot legally sell raw milk unless they are directly licensed to do so. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) oversees these regulations, requiring regular sampling of the milk to ensure it meets safety standards.
Pasteurized Milk Sales
For those interested in selling pasteurized milk, the requirements are somewhat different but still stringent. A valid license from the Texas DSHS is required to operate as a milk producer or distributor. This involves submitting an application and paying the associated fees. Pasteurized milk can be sold through various retail channels, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets, provided that all health regulations are met.
Compliance and Safety
Both raw and pasteurized milk sellers must comply with local and state health regulations. This includes regular inspections and adherence to safety protocols designed to minimize the risk of contamination. The DSHS has established a comprehensive safety program that governs the licensing and regulation of all milk producers and distributors in Texas.
Conclusion
In summary, selling milk in Texas is entirely feasible, but it comes with a set of legal requirements that must be followed. Whether you are selling raw or pasteurized milk, obtaining the appropriate permits and licenses is essential to operate legally and safely. For those interested in raw milk, the restrictions are more stringent, emphasizing direct sales from the farm to the consumer. Understanding these regulations is key to successfully navigating the dairy market in Texas.

Is it legal in Texas to sell raw milk?

Texas — The sale of raw milk and raw milk products, such as cream, yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk, on the farm and through delivery to the final consumer is legal if the producer has a permit from the Texas State Department of Health Services.

Do you need a license to sell raw milk?

States Where Raw Milk is Legal on Producing Farms
Twelve of those states—California, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Washington, Arizona, and Connecticut—allow farm sales of raw milk with no license. The rest require a license to sell on the farm.

Does raw milk taste like cow?

Raw milk often tastes richer and sweeter than pasteurized versions. And, depending on where the milk comes from and what food the cows eat, it can also come with its own unique flavor profile. Raw milk often tastes grassy, with a subtle level of barnyard-esque funk.

How much do farmers sell milk for?

ERS annually estimates farm sector cash receipts—the cash income received from agricultural commodity sales. This increase in receipts coincided with the U.S. all-milk price rising to $26.46 per hundredweight, a 28.6-percent gain from 2021.

Is it legal to sell breast milk in Texas?

Although states such as California, New York, and Texas have laws pertaining to the procurement and distribution of human milk, these laws pertain to milk donated through a licensed milk bank, and not to individual sellers in the informal “gray” market.

Can you sell your milk?

Can I Sell My Breast Milk? Although the practice is not regulated, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Food and Drug Administration recommend donating your breast milk to a HMBANA milk bank. HMBANA will require a screening process to ensure your milk can be distributed to parents and babies in need.

Can I sell my goat milk?

Raising goats is part of a green, sustainable lifestyle. But if you want to sell your goat milk, you have to understand the laws surrounding food distribution. Although selling anything other than Grade “A” pasteurized milk is illegal in 46 states, farmers can still sell raw milk legally in 32 states.

Can I sell milk from my cow?

Raw milk must be cooled to and maintained at 45 degrees Fahrenheit or below within specified timeframes relative to the onset and completion of milking, and remain at this temperature until purchased by the consumer (FAC § 35782; 3 CCR § 626). and raw milk dairy products may contain disease-causing micro-organisms.

Why do farmers sell raw milk?

One factor is the growing interest in natural and unprocessed foods, with some consumers believing that raw milk contains more nutrients and beneficial bacteria than pasteurized milk. Additionally, some people prefer the taste of raw milk or seek out locally produced foods for environmental or ethical reasons.

When did selling raw milk become illegal?

On August 10, 1987, FDA published a fi- nal regulation mandating the pasteurization of all milk and milk products in final pack- age form for direct human consumption. 8 This regulation banned the shipping of raw milk in interstate commerce and became ef- fective September 9, 1987.