Albuquerque Raw Milk Ordinance FAQs
Beginning December 5, 2023, the Albuquerque Raw Milk Ordinance went into effect allowing the sale of unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized milk products like cream, flavored raw milk and half and half, at grocery stores and markets.
Grocery and Market locations must obtain a Raw Milk Permit from the City of Albuquerque, Consumer Health Protection Division in order to sell raw milk.
No facility within the City may sell or store raw milk or the specified raw milk products without a valid raw milk permit.
Raw milk permits are valid for one calendar year and must be renewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Raw Milk Ordinance?
The Albuquerque Raw Milk Ordinance passed in December of 2023. The Ordinance allows the sale of unpasteurized milk and unpasteurized milk products like cream, flavored raw milk and half and half, at grocery stores and markets.
What is raw milk?
Raw milk is any milk that is not pasteurized or treated or manipulated in any way to destroy pathogens.
Can I sell raw milk from my dairy?
Raw milk cannot be sold from a dairy without a permit from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). NMDA must have access to the dairy for inspection and the raw milk subjected to laboratory testing by the department.
More information on NMDA permit process and rules for dairies.
Where may raw milk be sold in the City of Albuquerque?
Raw milk may be sold at grocery stores and markets in Albuquerque. Raw milk may only be sold at retail and cannot be sampled, served, or used in the preparation of other food items. Facilities whose primary population served is seniors or children (day cares, schools, senior centers or hospitals) are not allowed to sell or serve raw milk.
Do I need a permit to sell raw milk at my grocery store or market?
A raw milk permit is required for the sale of raw milk at grocery stores or markets. The permit is valid for one calendar year and must be renewed prior to expiration.
The permit must be posted in a conspicuous location, visible to the public. The permit is not transferable.
The store or market must also possess a valid City of Albuquerque Business Registration and any required permit from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture prior to selling or storing raw milk or raw milk products at grocery store or market.
Raw milk permit forms are provided by Consumer Health Protection Division. If you need an application to sell raw milk at your grocery store or market, please contact our office at 505-768-2716 or via email at [email protected].
It is important to know that you must maintain complete records for any raw milk or raw milk products stored, sold or transported. Records shall include locations were the raw milk or raw milk products were distributed and dairy information where the raw milk or raw milk products were obtained.
How much can I expect to pay for a raw milk permit?
The cost of the grocer permit is $80 and the cost of the market permit is $50.
Can I sell raw butter or other raw milk products once I have a permit for my store or market?
The only approved raw milk products are cream, flavored raw milk, and half and half. Those products must be sourced from the dairy and may not be produced by a grocer or market.
Do I need to separate raw milk or raw milk products from pasteurized milk or pasteurized milk products
Raw milk and raw milk products must be displayed separately from pasteurized milk or other pasteurized milk products. The display location must be labeled as such.
Are there any labeling requirements for raw milk or raw milk products?
Raw milk or raw milk products must be labeled or marked as “RAW MILK” in addition to all legally required labels or markings specified in the New Mexico Administration Code (NMAC) 21.34.2.12.
Learn more about legally required labels or markings.
How long is raw milk or raw milk products good for?
Raw milk or raw milk products are good for 5 days including the date of packaging.
Does raw milk or raw milk products require to be refrigerated?
Raw milk or raw milk products must be refrigerated and stored in powered refrigeration units at 41o F or lower.
Can I receive raw milk from an approved dairy and make my own raw milk products or flavored raw milk for sale?
Raw milk or raw milk products cannot be processed at a grocer or market. The raw milk or raw milk products must come directly from an approved dairy to the store or market, labeled and bottled, for direct sale to the consumer.