Providing for the distribution of raw milk and associated products

2023 Iowa Acts, chapter 75, authorized the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of raw milk at a raw milk dairy, and the manufacture of a product using that raw milk when distributed and intended for human consumption (Code chapter 195). A raw milk dairy farm is not subject to regulation by the department of agriculture and land stewardship under the Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (Code chapter 192). BACKGROUND —— TERMINOLOGY. The term “raw milk” refers to fluid milk that is unpasteurized and ungraded. A “raw milk dairy” is the location where the raw milk is produced from or fewer dairy animals (cows, sheep, or goats). A “raw milk producer” is a milk producer who owns or operates a raw milk dairy. _____ a milk product as the primary ingredient and includes any quantity of raw milk. A “raw milk product” refers to a product manufactured using milk as its exclusive ingredient and that includes any quantity of raw milk. BACKGROUND —— ANIMAL HEALTH. Each 12-month period, a licensed veterinarian must examine dairy animals maintained by a raw milk producer at a raw milk dairy. The examination must at least include a blood test for common diseases afflicting the type of dairy animal being examined. There must be a coliform count and standard plate count. The raw milk producer must comply with United States food and drug administration regulations when administering an antibiotic drug.6). RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTION. There are four principal restrictions relating to the distribution of raw milk, a raw milk product, or a raw milk dairy product. The first restriction relates to order and delivery. A raw milk producer can only distribute raw milk, or a raw milk product or raw milk dairy product, to an individual and the individual must place an order to the raw milk producer., a grocery store). The second restriction relates to use. The raw milk, raw milk product, or raw milk dairy product must be consumed by the individual making the order, or members of the individual’s household or guests. In addition, the raw milk, raw milk product, or raw milk dairy product cannot be resold. The third restriction relates to consumer information. A summary of the test results must be posted at the raw milk dairy’s distribution point and a consumer may inspect the health records of the dairy herd maintained at the raw milk dairy. The fourth restriction relates to labeling. _____ notice regarding its contents. BILL’S PROVISIONS. This bill replaces the current distribution restrictions. For the first restriction, the distribution point is expanded to include two food establishments regulated by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing or a political subdivision under contract. These include a farmers market or a grocery store (Code chapter 137F). The second restriction, limiting consumption to the individual and the individual’s household and guests, and prohibiting resale, is eliminated. The third restriction has been revised by eliminating a requirement that recent test results be posted. An individual visiting a raw milk dairy is not entitled to reproduce health records. The fourth restriction has been revised by expressly requiring that a container holding raw milk, a raw milk product, or a raw milk dairy product be sanitized.