Bill > HB0414

This bill amends Utah's raw milk regulations to enhance food safety and provide more detailed procedures for handling potential foodborne illness outbreaks. The bill introduces a formal definition of a "foodborne illness outbreak" as two or more similar illness cases from different households linked to a common food source. It adds more stringent testing requirements for raw milk, mandating that if bacterial or coliform counts exceed certain thresholds, or if a producer is implicated in a foodborne illness outbreak, the milk must be tested for specific pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. The legislation also establishes a more comprehensive process for investigating and responding to potential foodborne illness outbreaks, including requirements for cease and desist orders, notification procedures, and laboratory testing protocols. If a producer is linked to a foodborne illness outbreak, they may face administrative penalties ranging from $300 to $1,500 depending on the number of violations, and the department can suspend their permit. The bill aims to balance consumer access to raw milk with robust public health safeguards, providing clear guidelines for producers and regulatory authorities. The bill will take effect on May 7, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0414.html