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House approves bill allowing regulated sale of raw dairy products
Summary
The House passed a bill enabling the production and retail sale of raw dairy products from the farm if producers meet permit and sanitary requirements; floor amendments clarified 'bottled' to 'placed in sanitary containers' and expanded language to cover handling and sale.
The Utah House on Feb. 26 passed legislation to permit the production and sale of raw dairy products subject to departmental permitting and sanitation standards.
Floor sponsors told colleagues the bill restores a way for raw-dairy producers to move product to market while retaining health safeguards. The measure requires a permit from the health department, testing of dairy animals, sanitary production and labeling requirements, and authorizes departmental rules on bacterial testing, drug residues and labeling.
During floor debate Representative (sponsor) accepted friendly amendments changing the phrase "bottled" to "placed in sanitary containers" and extending the bill’s scope to include the handling and sale of products, not only production. One floor member asked whether the term "bottle" implied glass only; the sponsor clarified it covers containers including plastic.
On the procedural question of whether a fiscal note was necessary, the sponsor argued the department already tests dairies and that no additional fiscal impact was expected; the floor later voted to pass the bill (announced result: passed and forwarded to the Senate).
Sponsors emphasized the permit and rulemaking authority would preserve food-safety oversight while enabling small producers to reach retail markets.
