| United States of America |
All member states have adopted the “Grade A Pasteurised Milk Ordinance” (PMO) which is a set of standards for the production, processing, and packaging of milk. Each member state determines if the sale of unpasteurised milk is illegal. As of 2021, 23 states do not allow the sale of unpasteurised cows’ milk in retail stores, at the farm, or through off-farm sales (Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF), 2021), whereas the remaining states allow retail, on-farm and/or off-farm sales, subject to individual state laws and regulations on hygiene, testing, and licencing. |
| Canada |
The sale of unpasteurised milk has been illegal since 1991, however, soft, and semi-soft cheeses made from unpasteurised milk are allowed, with the requirement of the label “made from raw or unpasteurised milk”. |
| United Kingdom |
The sale of unpasteurised milk in Scotland is banned, however it is legal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Unpasteurised milk can only be sold at the farm gate, at registered farmers’ markets, milk round or similar distributors, direct online sales, and at farm vending machines. Milk must be labelled with a health warning, be from a farm which is hygiene inspected twice a year and collected from tuberculosis and brucellosis-free animals. It must also meet the standards of a total bacteria count of under 20,000 cfu per ml and under 100 cfu per ml of coliforms. |
| Ireland |
Farms which sell more than 30 litres of unpasteurised milk per week or sell further away than a 20 km radius of the farm must register with the DAFM. Animals must have a somatic cell count (SCC) less than 200,000 per ml and are inspected twice yearly. |
| European Union |
Member states can determine their own laws regarding the legal sale of unpasteurised milk, as well as set their own requirements for hygiene and quality testing. |
| Switzerland |
Unpasteurised milk can be sold for human consumption, but it is illegal to advertise. Milk must be sampled twice monthly and have a somatic cell count (SCC) of below 350,000 per ml. |
| Australia |
The sale of unpasteurised milk and milk products for human consumption is illegal. In addition to this, in Victoria, it is also illegal to package or deliver unpasteurised milk. |
| New Zealand |
Unpasteurised milk can only be sold directly to the consumer from the farm, or home delivery by the farmers. Unpasteurised milk is subject to requirements laid out in a regulated control scheme (RCS). |
| Japan |
Unpasteurised milk is available in Japan at facilities which have received special permission. As of 2021, only one farm produces unpasteurised milk. Unpasteurised milk must be clearly labelled, have a total bacterial count (TBC) of under 30,000 cfu per ml, and be negative of coliforms. |
| Singapore |
The sale of unpasteurised milk for human consumption is prohibited. |
