Yes, raw milk is legal in Connecticut but strictly regulated under state and local health codes. Sales are permitted only through licensed herd-share agreements or at farm stands with annual inspections by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and Department of Agriculture (DoAg). Recent 2026 compliance updates require mandatory pasteurization labeling for all dairy products, including raw milk, to align with FDA guidance.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Connecticut
- Herd-Share Agreements Required: Consumers must enter into private herd-share contracts with licensed dairy farms, bypassing retail sales restrictions. The DPH mandates written agreements and quarterly herd health testing for E. coli and Salmonella.
- Farm Stand Sales Permitted: Raw milk may be sold directly at licensed farm stands, but only if the farm holds a DPH-issued “Milk Producer License” and undergoes unannounced inspections. Sales are capped at 5 gallons per customer per day.
- Labeling and Warning Mandates: All raw milk containers must display a DPH-approved warning label stating: “This product has not been pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria.” Violations trigger fines up to $1,000 under Connecticut General Statutes § 22-111a.
Local health departments enforce these rules, with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station conducting additional pathogen screening. Non-compliance risks immediate suspension of sales permits. Producers must also comply with federal Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) standards where applicable.