No. Raw milk sales are prohibited for human consumption in Costa Rica due to strict public health protections enforced by the Ministry of Health (MINSALUD) and the National Animal Health Service (SENASA). Importation requires sanitary permits, and commercial distribution of unpasteurized dairy is criminalized under the Reglamento de Leche y Productos Lácteos (Decreto Ejecutivo No. 36934-MP-S-MAG). Violations may result in fines or criminal liability under the Código Penal.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Costa Rica
- Prohibition on Sale: MINSALUD’s Reglamento de Leche y Productos Lácteos (2011, amended 2023) explicitly bans raw milk sales for direct consumption, classifying it as a high-risk food. Only pasteurized or thermally treated dairy is legally marketable.
- SENASA Oversight: SENASA mandates sanitary certificates for dairy imports, requiring proof of pasteurization. Raw milk shipments are automatically rejected unless destined for industrial processing under controlled conditions.
- Criminal Liability: Under Ley General de Salud (No. 5395) and Código Penal (Art. 368), selling unpasteurized milk for human consumption constitutes a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment and fines exceeding ₡5 million (~$9,000 USD).
Compliance with these measures aligns with Costa Rica’s 2026 Plan Nacional de Inocuidad Alimentaria, which tightens controls on unprocessed dairy to mitigate zoonotic risks. Exemptions exist solely for on-farm consumption by producers, subject to SENASA inspections.