No, raw milk sales are prohibited in Indiana for human consumption under state law, with no retail or on-farm exemptions permitted. The Indiana State Department of Health enforces this ban via the Food Code (2024), aligning with CDC and FDA warnings on pathogen risks. While herd-share agreements technically exist, their legal enforceability remains contested under Indiana’s strict dairy statutes.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Indiana
- Retail Ban: Indiana Code § 16-41-10-1 explicitly prohibits the sale of raw milk for human consumption through retail channels, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
- On-Farm Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales from farms are illegal; Indiana’s Dairy Products Law (IC 16-41-10) criminalizes such transactions under § 16-41-10-2.
- Herd-Shares: While some producers operate under herd-share models, the Indiana Attorney General’s Office (2023 guidance) has not recognized these as lawful alternatives to retail bans, citing public health risks.
Local health departments, including the Marion County Public Health Department, actively monitor compliance, with recent 2026 enforcement protocols targeting unlicensed raw milk distribution. Violations may result in misdemeanor charges or civil penalties under IC 16-41-10-5. Producers seeking legal pathways must navigate federal FDA standards, which classify raw milk as inherently unsafe for interstate commerce.