§ 2777 - Standards for the sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk - Vermont Statutes

§ 2777. Standards for the sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk

(a) Unpasteurized milk for fluid consumption shall be sold directly from the producer to the end user and shall not be resold.

(b) Unpasteurized milk shall be sold only from the farm on which it was produced except when delivery is arranged in conformance with section 2778 of this chapter. Unpasteurized milk shall not be sold or offered as free samples at any location other than on the farm on which the milk was produced.

(c) Unpasteurized milk operations shall conform to reasonable sanitary standards, including:

(1) Unpasteurized milk shall be derived from healthy animals which are subject to appropriate veterinary care, including tuberculosis and brucellosis testing and rabies vaccination, according to accepted testing and vaccinations standards as established by the agency. Test results and verification of vaccinations shall be posted on the farm in a prominent place and be easily visible to customers.

(2) The animal's udders and teats shall be cleaned and sanitized prior to milking.

(3) The animals shall be housed in a clean, dry environment.

(4) Milking equipment shall be of sanitary construction, cleaned after each milking, and sanitized prior to the next milking.

(5) Milking shall be conducted in a clean environment appropriate for maintaining cleanliness.

(6) The farm shall have a potable water supply which is sampled for bacteriological examination according to agency standards every three years and whenever any alteration or repair of the water supply has been made.

(7) If an animal is treated with antibiotics, that animal's milk shall be tested for and found free of antibiotics before its milk is offered for sale.

(d) Unpasteurized milk shall conform to the following production and marketing standards:

(1) Record keeping and reporting.

(A) A producer shall collect one composite sample of unpasteurized milk each day and keep the previous 14 days' samples frozen. The producer shall provide samples to the agency if requested.

(B) A producer shall maintain a current list of all customers, including addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses when available.

(C) The producer shall maintain a list of transactions for at least one year which shall include customer names, the date of each purchase, and the amount purchased.

(2) Labeling. Unpasteurized (raw) milk shall be labeled as such, and the label shall contain:

(A) The date the milk was obtained from the animal.

(B) The name, address, zip code, and telephone number of the producer.

(C) The common name of the type of animal producing the milk (e.g. cattle, goat, sheep) or an image of the animal.

(D) The words "Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk. Not pasteurized. Keep Refrigerated." on the container's principal display panel, and these words shall be clearly readable in letters at least one-eighth inch in height and prominently displayed.

(E) The words "This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause illness particularly in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems and in pregnant women can cause illness, miscarriage or fetal death, or death of a newborn." on the container's principal display panel and clearly readable in letters at least one-sixteenth inch in height.

(3) Temperature. Unpasteurized milk shall be cooled to 40 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours of the finish of milking and so maintained until it is obtained by the consumer.

(4) Customer inspection and notification.

(A) Prior to selling milk to a new customer, the producer shall provide the customer with a tour of the farm and any area associated with the milking operation. Customers are encouraged and shall be permitted to return to the farm at a reasonable time and at reasonable intervals to re-inspect any areas associated with the milking operation.

(B) A sign with the words "Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk. Not pasteurized. Keep Refrigerated." and "This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause illness particularly in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems and in pregnant women can cause illness, miscarriage or fetal death, or death of a newborn." shall be displayed prominently on the farm in a place where it can be easily seen by customers. The lettering shall be at least one inch in height and shall be clearly readable.

(e) Producers selling 12.5 or fewer gallons (50 quarts) of unpasteurized milk per day shall meet the requirements of subsections (a) through (d) of this section and shall sell unpasteurized milk only from the farm on which it was produced. A producer selling 12.5 or fewer gallons of unpasteurized milk may choose to meet the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, in which case the producer may deliver in accordance with section 2778 of this chapter.

(f) Producers selling 12.6 to 40 gallons (50.4 to 160 quarts) of unpasteurized milk per day shall meet the requirements of subsections (a) through (d) of this section as well as the following standards:

(1) Inspection. The agency shall annually inspect the producer's facility and determine that the producer is in compliance with the sanitary standards listed in subsection (c) of this section.

(2) Bottling. Unpasteurized milk shall be sold in containers which have been filled by the producer. Containers shall be cleaned by the producer except that the producer may allow customers to clean their own containers only if each customer's container is labeled with the customer's name and address and the customers use their own containers. Producers shall ensure that only clean bottles are filled and distributed.

(3) Testing.

(A) A producer shall have unpasteurized milk tested twice per month by a U.S. Food and Drug Administration accredited laboratory. Milk shall be tested for the following and the results shall be below these limits:

(i) Total bacterial (aerobic) count: 15,000 cfu/ml (cattle and goats);

(ii) Total coliform count: 10 cfu/ml (cattle and goats);

(iii) Somatic cell count: 225,000/ml (cattle); 500,000/ml (goats).

(B) The producer shall assure that all test results are forwarded to the agency, by the laboratory, upon completion of testing or within five days of receipt of the results by the producer.

(C) The producer shall keep test results on file for one year and shall post results on the farm in a prominent place that is easily visible to customers. The producer shall provide test results to the farm's customers if requested.

(4) Registration. Each producer operating under this subsection shall register with the agency.

(5) Reporting. On or before March 1 of each year, each producer shall submit to the agency a statement of the total gallons of unpasteurized milk sold in the previous 12 months.

(6) Prearranged delivery. Prearranged delivery of unpasteurized milk is permitted and shall be in compliance with section 2778 of this chapter.

(g) The sale of more than 40 gallons (160 quarts) of unpasteurized milk in any one day is prohibited. (Added 2009, No. 62, § 2.)