Raw Milk is a GO!!!

Arkansas has officially passed a new law expanding the sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk and raw milk products, including cheeses. Senate Bill 464 was delivered to Governor Sarah Sanders on April 10, 2025, and includes an emergency clause that allows it to take effect immediately upon her approval.

Key Provisions of the New Law

• Expanded Sales Locations: Raw milk and raw milk products can now be sold not only at the farm where they are produced but also at farmers markets, natural food stores, and through delivery services

• Permitted Products: The law allows the sale of raw milk products such as butter, cheese, yogurt, and other derivatives made from raw milk

• Sales Limit: Producers are limited to selling up to 500 gallons of raw milk per month

• Labeling and Signage Requirements: Sellers must label products with warnings about the potential health risks of consuming unpasteurized milk and post prominent signs at the point of sale

• Consumer Acknowledgment: For sales at locations other than the farm, consumers must sign a risk acknowledgment form

• Inspection Rights: Farmers are required to allow customers to inspect their cows and barns upon request

Regarding Cheese Sales

Under the new law, the sale of raw milk cheeses is permitted, provided they comply with federal regulations. In the United States, the FDA requires that cheeses made from unpasteurized milk must be aged for at least 60 days before sale to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria. Therefore, raw milk cheeses aged 60 days or more can be legally sold in Arkansas under this law.

Summary

With the enactment of SB464, Arkansas has broadened the legal avenues for selling raw milk and its products, including certain cheeses, beyond the farm setting. This move aims to support local agriculture and provide consumers with more choices, while still implementing measures to inform and protect public health.