Bill > H609

This bill establishes a framework for the legal retail sale of raw milk (unpasteurized milk) in North Carolina under strict regulatory conditions. The bill allows eligible farmers to obtain a raw milk license from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after meeting multiple health and safety requirements, including annual veterinary inspections, water quality testing, and rigorous milk sampling protocols. Farmers must ensure their milk meets specific bacterial, coliform, and somatic cell count standards, and their animals must be free from tuberculosis and brucellosis. The bill mandates clear labeling on raw milk products, including a prominent warning that the milk is unpasteurized and may contain harmful organisms. Sales are permitted only on the farm of origin or at a farm stand within 100 miles of the origin, and the raw milk must be displayed separately from pasteurized dairy products. The license will be valid for one year and requires annual renewal. The new regulations will take effect on January 1, 2026, giving farmers and regulators time to prepare for implementation, and the Board of Agriculture is tasked with developing permanent and temporary rules to support the new law.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H609