The Milk Safety Program, within Health Systems Protection's Office of Food Protection, works to ensure the public’s health by establishing minimum standards for thsoe involved with the processing, transport and sale of milk and milk products in Delaware. To protect the health of Delawareans, the program conducts inspections, issues permits, and enforces the State of Delaware Milk Code.

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Delaware Division of Public Health Statement on Raw Milk

The consumption of unpasteurized milk presents an unacceptable health hazard to the consumer and such consumption increases the risk of preventable illness. The Division of Public Health (DPH) adheres to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policy that raw milk should not be consumed for any reason. Milk borne disease outbreaks have been reported by several states that allow raw milk sales. While anyone could contract a serious illness from raw milk, infants, toddlers, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

To protect the public health, under Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations § 1240.6, it is a prohibited act to transport for sale in interstate commerce any unpasteurized fluid milk or milk product in final packaged form for direct human consumption.

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials has prepared a summary of the issue and the reasons that consumption of raw milk is illegal.

If you would like further information about issues and concerns related to the consumption of unpasteurized milk, please contact the DPH Office of Food Protection and Milk Safety.

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