No, raw milk sales are prohibited in Nebraska under the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s (NDA) strict food safety regulations, which classify it as a high-risk product due to potential pathogens like E. coli and Listeria. The state enforces a blanket ban on intrastate sales, aligning with its 2024 Food Code revisions that prioritize pasteurization standards. Interstate sales remain federally regulated under the FDA’s Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), further limiting access.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Nebraska
- Absolute Sales Ban: Nebraska Revised Statute § 2-2401 prohibits the sale, distribution, or consumption of raw milk for human consumption, including through herd-share agreements. Violations incur fines up to $1,000 per offense under NDA enforcement guidelines.
- Labeling Restrictions: Any dairy product labeled as “raw” must include a NDA-approved warning stating “This product has not been pasteurized and may contain harmful bacteria.” Mislabeling constitutes a Class III misdemeanor.
- Inspection Protocols: Dairy farms producing milk for pasteurization undergo unannounced NDA inspections quarterly, with raw milk producers subject to immediate shutdown orders if violations are detected. The 2026 NDA budget allocates $120,000 to enhance raw milk surveillance in response to rising consumer demand.
Local health departments, such as the Douglas County Health Department, reinforce these restrictions by issuing cease-and-desist orders to any entity found facilitating raw milk transactions, including farmers’ markets or private deliveries. Nebraska’s stance contrasts with neighboring states like Iowa, which permit limited herd-share programs, underscoring the state’s stringent public health priorities.