Is the sale of raw milk legal in the UK?

By 31. Januar 2014Blog, Risk Management

Yes and no, it is in England, Wales and Northern Ireland but not Scotland. Raw milk can pose health risks as it can contain bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria hence why it is generally sold pasteurised. 

But there are some people out there that want raw milk and the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a consultation about the matter.

Basically, it is legal for farmers to sell raw milk from farmers markets and direct from the farm, but the FSA was concerned by recent events when a department store started selling raw milk from a vending machine within the premises. They are also concerned about internet sales.

The FSA would like to keep the law as it is but add some clarity, such as that farmers can sell raw milk from a vending machine at their farm shop but not on other properties. They would also like to harmonise the  controls for raw milk from other animals too.

The FSA would like to hear from a range of stakeholders and are asking for responses by the 30th April 2014.

Click here to read the full statement from the FSA website.