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Unpasteurised milk products
Some unpasteurised milk products (also called raw milk products) can be produced for sale in and imported into New Zealand.
NZFSA has developed a regulatory framework to allow unpasteurised milk products that can be produced to an acceptable level of safety to be produced, sold, exported and imported. An acceptable level of safety is one that poses a low level of risk to the general population.
Some unpasteurised milk products can pose health hazards to consumers, particularly to people who are very young, very old, pregnant, or have immune system disorders.
Consumer information on unpasteurised milk products
Raw milk and raw milk cheeses – the issues and risks
Rules on the sale of unpasteurised milk
Section 11A of the Food Act 1981 allows producers to sell up to five litres of unpasteurised milk at any one time from their farm gates to people who intend to consume it themselves, or to provide it to their families. Such producers must, however, harvest the milk under a risk management programme that has been approved for this purpose under the Animal Products Act.
Industry information on unpasteurised milk products
Standards and specifications for producing and importing unpasteurised milk products can be found here:
Animal Products (Raw Milk Products Specifications) Notice 2009 [PDF 76.8 KB]
Food (Prescribed Foods Standard 2007) Amendment Standard 2009 [PDF 54KB]
Food Imported Milk and Milk Products) Standards 2009 [PDF 66KB]
Importer Advisory: Importing raw milk products
Scientific reports and studies on unpasteurised milk products
The following reports and studies were commissioned by NZFSA to inform the development of the production and importing regulatory framework.
Raw milk products - A four-part survey on awareness and understanding of raw milk products [PDF 104 KB]
A systematic review of the human disease evidence associated with the consumption of raw milk and raw milk cheeses [PDF 593 KB]
Consideration of on farm provisions for raw milk production [PDF 196 KB]
Media releases on unpasteurised milk products
Drinking unpasteurised milk is risky 14 September 2009
Raw milk cheeses get the green light 2 September 2009 [link to Beehive website]
Greater cheese choice on the cards for Kiwis 22 May 2009
New rules for raw milk products considered 7 August 2008
Caution on Roquefort reiterated 15 May 2008
NZFSA advises caution for some consumers on raw milk cheeses 5 September 2007
NZFSA seeks comment on sale of raw milk cheese 15 May 2007
Consultations on unpasteurised milk products
Past discussion papers and submissions can be found at the link below
Consultation - Unpasteurised milk products Round 2
Consultation - Unpasteurised milk products Round 1
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
68-86 Jervois Quay
PO Box 2835
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 2500
Fax: +64 4 894 2501
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