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Georgia · Direct-to-Consumer Compliance · Category 07 of 24

Dairy

Raw milk direct-farm sales under a GDA permit vs. processed dairy products requiring a licensed dairy plant

Dual-Path — Read Carefully
GDA Raw Dairy Act permit
Raw milk
Licensed dairy plant
Cheese/yogurt
No
Herdshare needed?
Raw milk: not authorized
Retail store sales

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ Generally Covered

  • Selling raw milk direct to any consumer, at the farm, under a GDA Raw Dairy Act permit (O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq., effective 7/1/2023) — no herdshare or membership needed
  • Selling pasteurized milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, or other processed dairy from a GDA-licensed Grade A or manufactured dairy plant
  • Labeling raw milk with the required 12-point-font 'not pasteurized' disclosure and other GDA-mandated statements
  • Meeting GDA herd health, testing, and facility cleanliness standards for a raw dairy permit

✕ Needs More / Watch Out

  • Selling raw milk without a GDA permit, or through a herdshare/ownership scheme (not required or recognized in Georgia's model — it's a direct on-farm sales permit)
  • Distributing raw milk through retail stores — Georgia's law authorizes on-farm sales only, not off-site retail distribution
  • Making pasteurized dairy products (cheese, yogurt, cultured products) in a home kitchen under cottage food law — dairy is always TCS and excluded from HB 398's cottage exemption
  • Skipping herd testing or the mandated disclosure statement on raw milk labels

Three Steps to Compliance

A

Choose your path: raw or processed

Raw milk sold directly at the farm needs a GDA Raw Dairy Act permit. Any processed dairy product (cheese, yogurt, pasteurized milk, butter) needs a full GDA-licensed dairy plant — cottage food law never covers dairy.

B

For raw milk: get the GDA permit

Apply through GDA for an on-farm raw milk sales permit; comply with herd health/testing, sanitation standards, and the required 12-point 'this product is not pasteurized' label disclosure. Any consumer may buy directly — no herdshare structure is needed.

C

For processed dairy: license the plant

Build out (or contract) a Grade A or manufactured-milk-plant facility licensed and inspected by GDA before making cheese, yogurt, or pasteurized milk products for sale.

Quick Reference

Raw milk direct saleLegal at the farm with a GDA Raw Dairy Act permit — no herdshare required
Raw milk retail store saleNot authorized under current Georgia law
Cheese, yogurt, pasteurized milkRequires a licensed GDA dairy processing plant
Cottage food coverageNone — dairy is always excluded as TCS/potentially hazardous
Required raw milk label12-point font statement that the product is not pasteurized, plus other GDA-mandated disclosures
Governing lawGeorgia Raw Dairy Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq., effective July 1, 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a herdshare agreement to sell raw milk in Georgia?
No. Georgia's Raw Dairy Act created a direct on-farm sales permit — any consumer may buy raw milk straight from a GDA-permitted farm without joining a herdshare.
Can I sell my raw milk at a farmers market?
Generally no — the law is built around on-farm sales; confirm current GDA guidance before attempting off-farm raw milk sales.
Can I make and sell yogurt from my home kitchen?
No. All dairy products are treated as potentially hazardous (TCS) and are excluded from the cottage food exemption regardless of your kitchen setup.
What does the GDA permit require of my herd?
Ongoing herd health and testing requirements, plus sanitation and handling standards set by GDA — apply well before you plan to start selling.

Printable Checklist

MarketStand · Georgia Producer Compliance Series
This guide is general information, not legal advice, current as of September 2026. Georgia's cottage food, meat inspection, dairy, egg, plant, feed, and alcohol rules change — always verify current requirements with the Georgia Department of Agriculture (agr.georgia.gov), Georgia Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division, and your local health department before selling.
Primary sources: Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (Cottage Food, Meat Inspection, Egg Law, Live Plant Program, Feed/Pet Food Program); HB 398 (2025); Georgia Raw Dairy Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-450 et seq.; Georgia Meat Inspection Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-60; Georgia Food Act, O.C.G.A. §26-2-20; GA Dept. of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Division; FDA (DSHEA, MoCRA, FSMA Produce Safety Rule, 21 CFR 108/111/113/114).