Arkansas Legalizes Raw Milk

The laws governing the sale of raw milk – whether it can be sold freely or sold under the strictest of circumstances – vary state to state. This summer, one more state can be added to the list of places where consumers can legally purchase raw milk directly from the farm: Arkansas.

Beginning in July 2013, Arkansas farms will be allowed to sell up to 500 gallons of unpasteurized cow milk per month, and up to 500 gallons of unpasteurized goat milk per month, directly to consumers. It will still be illegal to sell unpasteurized milk at farmers markets or other retail outlets. Under the new law, farmers will be required to post a sign on the farm and label unpasteurized products with a standardized label noting that the milk is unpasteurized. Neither the farm nor the cows will be inspected by the state, and the buyer assumes all liability should any health problems arise from consuming the raw milk.
This new law is not only exciting for the consumers who rely on raw milk’s nutrients for health benefits, but also for the farmers who see economic opportunity in taking advantage of the emerging raw milk market – raw milk often sells for $6-$8 per gallon. As the market continues to evolve and more farms begin to offer unpasteurized products, it will be interesting to see where costs stabilize and how farms brand themselves to stand out from the herd.

See article in Arkansas Online:
http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2013/apr/28/law-selling-raw-milk-has-some-over-moon-20130428/?business

The Campaign for Real Milk is a project of nutrition education non-profit, The Weston A. Price Foundation.