Milk Amendments

Added a new definition for 'Batch' to specify that it means all milk emptied from one bulk tank and bottled in a single day.

Modified the definition of 'Market' to clarify it is a retail location registered with the department where raw milk is offered for sale directly to a consumer, distinct from the production premises.

Removed the definition of 'Consumer' from the definitions section, likely as it was incorporated into other sections or deemed unnecessary.

Added a new exemption allowing producers to sell raw milk on the premises where it is produced without meeting the full licensing and inspection requirements, provided they meet specific labeling and testing standards.

Modified the testing requirements to include a monthly test ensuring the coliform count does not exceed 10 colony-forming units per milliliter for on-premise sales.

Added a requirement for producers to issue recall notices on their website and social media if linked to a foodborne illness outbreak.

Modified the labeling requirements for on-premise sales to include a specific warning statement: 'This raw milk has not been licensed or inspected by the state of Utah. Raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe.'

Modified the cease and desist order process to require specific evidence, such as whole genome sequencing tests, to positively link a producer to a foodborne illness outbreak before public disclosure of their name.

Added a specific timeline requiring the department to notify a producer of whole genome sequencing test results within 15 working days.

Eliminated the mandatory permit requirement for producing raw milk or raw milk products, replacing it with a notification requirement to the Department of Agriculture and Food.

Established specific safety standards, including limits on somatic cell and bacterial counts, mandatory monthly testing by accredited labs, and strict temperature controls for storing and transporting raw milk.

Mandated specific labeling requirements for raw milk containers, including a warning statement about potential safety risks and a nine-day sell-by date.

Provided an exemption for on-premise sales where producers can sell raw milk directly to consumers on their property without meeting most other regulatory requirements, provided they follow specific safety and labeling rules.

Updated the farm exemption to explicitly include participants in cow-share programs and their immediate families, while preventing the department from adding extra restrictions on these arrangements.

Introduced new legal definitions for terms such as 'consumer,' 'designated agent,' 'market,' 'producer,' and 'third party vendor' to clarify who is covered under the new regulations.

Created a formal process for investigating foodborne illness outbreaks, allowing the department to issue cease-and-desist orders and impose escalating administrative penalties for violations.

Removed the requirement for producers to obtain a permit to produce or sell raw milk, replacing it with a notification requirement to the department.

Added a no-severability clause, ensuring that if any part of the new raw milk regulations is declared invalid, the entire section is voided.

Modified labeling requirements to include specific warnings about safety and a statement that the product has not been licensed or inspected by the state.

Added new definitions for 'consumer' (end user for household use) and 'market' (retail establishment selling directly to consumers).

Modified exemptions to explicitly include cow-share program participants and their families, and clarified rules for small producers selling on-premises.

Added specific administrative penalties ranging from $300 to $1,500 for violations, including provisions for whole genome sequencing testing to link outbreaks to producers.

Added a new definition for 'batch' to mean all milk emptied from one bulk tank and bottled in a single day.

Added a new definition for 'consumer' to mean an end user purchasing raw milk for personal or household use.

Removed the definition for 'third party vendor' which previously described a person taking ownership of raw milk to distribute it.

Updated the 'Highlighted Provisions' section to add 'addresses rulemaking' and 'provides for fees' as key features of the bill.

Eliminated the mandatory permit requirement for producers to operate, manufacture, or sell raw milk, replacing it with a requirement to notify the department of intent to produce.

Established strict operational requirements including monthly testing for bacterial and coliform counts, specific cooling temperatures within set timeframes, and mandatory labeling with safety warnings.

Introduced new legal definitions for 'consumer,' 'designated agent,' 'market,' 'premises,' 'producer,' 'third party vendor,' and 'foodborne illness outbreak' to clarify the regulatory landscape.

Reorganized the farm exemption to explicitly include cow-share program participants and their families, removing redundant language and clarifying who is exempt from certain dairy regulations.

Created a new enforcement mechanism allowing the department to issue cease-and-desist orders linked to foodborne illness outbreaks, with penalties ranging from $300 to $1,500 for repeat violations.

Set the effective date of the bill to May 6, 2026.

Eliminated the mandatory permit requirement for producers making 500 gallons or less of raw milk per month.

Requires producers to notify the Department of Agriculture and Food of their intent to operate under the exemption.

Removed the requirement for producers to maintain mechanical refrigeration at 41 degrees Fahrenheit during transport.

Allows small producers to sell raw milk at inspected retail establishments, not just on their own premises.

Expanded farm exemptions to include cow-share program participants and their immediate families.

Added new definitions for 'consumer', 'designated agent', 'foodborne illness outbreak', and 'market'.

Added an exemption for producers making 500 gallons or less of raw milk per month to sell on their premises without a permit.

Added requirements for producers to notify the department of their intent to operate under the small producer exemption.

Added conditions allowing producers to transport raw milk to inspected retail establishments using designated agents or mobile units with refrigeration.

Removed the previous definition regarding verified complaints for cease and desist orders.

Removed requirements for raw milk producers to notify the department of their intention to produce raw milk and rules requiring markets to display raw milk separately from pasteurized milk.

Added a definition for 'verified complaint' requiring the department to base actions on unopened containers and disclose the complainant's name and verified facts to the producer before issuing a cease and desist order.

Changed the amendment status from House Committee to House Floor and updated the amendment date to February 12, 2026.

Producers must now provide written notice to the department of their intention to produce raw milk before they can legally operate.

Retail markets selling raw milk must display it separately from pasteurized milk to prevent confusion and potential contamination.

New definitions were added for 'Batch', 'Designated agent', 'Foodborne illness outbreak', 'Raw milk product', and 'Third party vendor' to clarify regulatory terms.

New requirements mandate that raw milk be cooled to 50 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour and 41 degrees Fahrenheit within two hours of being drawn from the animal.

New labeling requirements include a specific colored label, a 'use by' date within nine days, and a warning statement that raw milk may be unsafe.

New rules allow producers to sell up to 120 gallons of raw milk per month directly to consumers without meeting full permit requirements, provided specific labeling and testing standards are met.

New enforcement mechanisms include specific penalties ($300 for first violation, up to $1,500 for subsequent violations) and procedures for issuing cease and desist orders linked to foodborne illness outbreaks.

New provisions require the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct surveys and use whole genome sequencing to link producers to foodborne illness outbreaks before publicly disclosing names.

The exemption for farm-produced milk was modified to explicitly include participants in cow-share programs and their immediate families.

New provisions establish a dedicated fee structure where fees collected for testing and inspections must be retained by the department solely to administer and enforce the raw milk section.

The previous Section 4-3-503 was repealed and replaced by a new, more detailed set of sections (4-3-601 through 4-3-610) to address raw milk regulation comprehensively.