No, raw milk sales are prohibited in Georgia under the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) strict food safety regulations. The state enforces a ban on raw milk distribution for human consumption, aligning with public health mandates to prevent foodborne illnesses. Retail sales, farm-to-consumer transactions, and herd-share agreements are all explicitly restricted.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Georgia
- State Prohibition: The GDA’s Georgia Food Act (O.C.G.A. § 26-2-20) bans the sale of raw milk for human consumption, classifying it as adulterated under § 26-2-22(1)(A).
- Permitted Exceptions: Only pasteurized milk may be sold commercially. Dairy producers must comply with GDA’s Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) for licensed operations.
- Enforcement Mechanisms: The GDA conducts routine inspections and imposes penalties for violations, including fines up to $1,000 per offense under O.C.G.A. § 26-2-30. Direct-to-consumer raw milk sales are actively pursued for enforcement.
Local jurisdictions, such as Fulton County, reinforce these restrictions through additional health department ordinances. While some states permit herd-share models, Georgia’s regulatory framework does not recognize such loopholes. Producers or consumers attempting to circumvent the ban face immediate legal action. The GDA’s 2024-2026 compliance priorities emphasize cracking down on unlicensed raw milk distribution networks statewide.