UtahUtah law sets safety rules for raw milk sales
Utah law sets safety and labeling rules for raw milk sales, while allowing separate farm-sale and small-producer exemptions.
What it does
Producers covered by the main rules must get a permit, test each batch before sale, keep milk cold, and warn buyers on the label that it may be unsafe.
A producer may sell from the farm without a permit or the main rules if the producer follows separate requirements for labels, cooling, monthly testing, records, and notice to the state.
Producers who make no more than 500 gallons in a month may sell on their farm without a permit or this part's rules, but they must notify the state and still follow outbreak rules.
After an investigation links a producer's raw milk to an outbreak, the department must stop sales of the named product until tests clear it or show it was not linked.
Argument forBatch testing, warning labels, and outbreak stop orders could help buyers avoid unsafe milk and limit the spread of illness.
Argument againstBuyers of milk from small producers may have less safety oversight because those producers can operate without most rules after notifying the state.
More detail
Producers covered by the main rules must get a permit and meet safety, testing, and labeling requirements. These requirements cover producers who make, sell, deliver, store, or offer raw milk or raw milk products, unless an exemption applies. Producers must test each batch for bacterial and coliform counts before offering it for sale, and the results must meet the stated standards. Milk must be cooled, kept cold, and packaged under sanitary conditions; labels must include a warning and safe handling instructions. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
A producer may sell raw milk under a farm-sale exemption without a permit or the main safety rules by meeting separate requirements. This applies to a producer selling raw milk or raw milk products to consumers for household use. Sales must be for household use, not resale, and happen at the farm; a designated agent may deliver directly to the consumer. The producer must label and cool the milk, test it monthly for coliform bacteria, keep test records for at least six months, and notify the department of the intent to sell. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
A small producer may operate without a permit or the requirements of this part if the producer meets the exemption's limits. The exemption covers producers who keep milk as raw milk or use it to make raw milk products, up to the monthly limit. The producer may produce no more than 500 gallons in a month as raw milk or for making raw milk products, and must sell and deliver the products where they were produced. The producer must notify the department with the producer's name and the current address of the operating location. Outbreak rules still apply. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
The department must stop a producer from selling a named raw milk product when an investigation links it to an outbreak. The order covers the product named in the order and applies even to producers using the small-producer exemption. The department must have investigation evidence that the outbreak began with the producer's raw milk or product. The order remains in effect until the producer meets the required standards in three consecutive tests and tests show no listed pathogens, or sequencing shows the product was not linked to the outbreak. These rules take effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 16House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 16House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 12House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 12Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 10Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 10Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 7House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 7House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 7Senate/ to House
- Mar 7Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 7Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 6House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ concurs with Senate amendment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6House/ concurs with Senate amendmentMajor
- Mar 6House/ placed on Concurrence Calendar
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House with amendments
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 6Senate/ circled
- Mar 6Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Feb 26LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179S04
- Feb 26LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179S03
- Feb 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26Senate/ comm rpt/ substituted/ amended [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Major
- Feb 25Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate Comm - Amendment Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 25Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Major
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0179S04
- Feb 25LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0179S03
- Feb 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0179S04
- Feb 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0179S04
- Feb 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0179S03
- Feb 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0179S03
- Feb 20Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Business and Labor Committee]Minor
- Feb 17LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179S02
- Feb 17Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 16LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0179S02
- Feb 12Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12House/ to Senate
- Feb 12House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 12House/ floor amendment
- Feb 12House/ substituted
- Feb 12House/ uncircled
- Feb 12LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0179S02
- Feb 12LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0179S02
- Feb 10House/ circled
- Feb 10House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 2House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 2House/ comm rpt/ amended [House Health and Human Services Committee]Major
- Feb 1LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179S01
- Jan 30House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 30House Comm - Amendment Recommendation [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 27LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179S01
- Jan 26LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0179S01
- Jan 23House/ to standing committee [House Health and Human Services Committee]Minor
- Jan 23Bill Substituted by Sponsor in House Rules Comm [House Rules Committee]Major
- Jan 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0179S01
- Jan 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0179S01
- Jan 21House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 21LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0179
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 16LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0179
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 7LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0179
- Jan 7LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0179
- Jan 7Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Jan 7Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
AgriculturePublic SafetyConsumer Protection