No. Unpasteurized cheese is illegal for retail sale in Kansas under state law, aligning with FDA standards prohibiting interstate commerce of raw milk products. Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) enforces 2023 amendments to K.A.R. 9-20-10, mirroring federal 21 CFR §133, which restricts sales to pasteurized varieties unless aged ≥60 days.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Kansas
- Age Requirement: Unpasteurized cheese must be aged ≥60 days at ≥35°F (K.A.R. 9-20-10(c)(2)), though Kansas does not permit its sale regardless of aging.
- Retail Ban: KDA prohibits on-site sales of raw milk cheese in grocery stores, farmers markets, or specialty shops (K.S.A. 65-715).
- Import Restrictions: Cheese from states with weaker pasteurization laws (e.g., Wisconsin’s limited raw cheese exemptions) is seized at Kansas border checkpoints under KDA’s 2024 inspection protocols.
Kansas’ stance reflects the 2026 FDA proposed rule tightening raw milk product definitions, though state enforcement remains stricter. Dairy producers may sell unpasteurized cheese only for personal consumption or out-of-state export with USDA-approved permits. Violations trigger fines up to $1,000 per K.S.A. 65-716.