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Category 7 of 25 · Hawaii

Dairy

Milk, Cheese, Butter & Yogurt

Licensed Facility Required — Raw Sale Currently Illegal
Illegal (2026)
Raw milk sale
Grade A permit
Pasteurized
HDOA Dairy / HDOH
Agency
HB456/SB962
Pending law

What's Covered / What Needs More

✓ What's Covered

  • Pasteurized milk, cheese, butter, and yogurt produced at a Grade A certified dairy plant and sold direct to consumers
  • Aged hard cheeses and other dairy products made in an HDOH-permitted, HDOA-inspected dairy processing facility
  • Non-dairy 'milk' alternatives (oat, coconut, macadamia) that are shelf-stable, which may qualify as cottage-eligible if non-TCS
  • Legislative tracking: a pending bill (HB456/SB962) would authorize small-herd (≤10 animals) direct raw milk sales beginning after Board of Agriculture rules are adopted — not yet in effect

✕ Needs More

  • Selling raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw milk products for human consumption — Hawaii is one of the few states where this remains fully illegal, with no herdshare exception recognized by the state
  • Any fresh dairy product is TCS and can never be cottage-food eligible, regardless of pasteurization
  • Operating a home dairy processing operation without an HDOA Grade A permit and HDOH food establishment permit
  • Assuming the pending raw-milk bill is already law — as of 2026 it has not taken effect statewide; confirm current status with HDOA before relying on it

How to Get Compliant

A

Get Grade A certified

Dairy farms and processing plants must meet HDOA's Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance standards, including regular inspection and milk testing.

B

Obtain an HDOH food establishment permit

Any facility processing milk into cheese, butter, or yogurt for sale needs a separate HDOH permit covering the processing/packaging operation.

C

Label per dairy rules

Include pasteurization statement, sell-by date, storage temperature guidance, and standard ingredient/allergen labeling.

Quick Reference

Sales ChannelRequirementNotes
Pasteurized milk, on-farm or marketHDOA Grade A permit + HDOH permitFull inspection program
Cheese/butter/yogurt processingHDOA Grade A + HDOH facility permitAging/processing room inspected separately
Raw milk, any form, human consumptionNot currently authorizedIllegal under current law; pending bill not yet in force
Non-dairy shelf-stable milk alternativeCottage course + label (if non-TCS)Treated as a plant-based cottage product, not dairy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell raw milk from my two backyard goats?
Not currently — Hawaii prohibits raw milk sales for human consumption. A 2025/2026 bill would change this for small herds once state rules are finalized, but it is not yet in effect.
What license do I need to sell my own farmstead cheese?
An HDOA Grade A dairy permit for the milk source plus an HDOH food establishment permit for the cheese-making and packaging operation.
Is yogurt cottage-food eligible?
No — all fresh dairy is TCS and requires a licensed, permitted facility, never the home-kitchen cottage exemption.
Where do I check if the raw milk bill has passed?
Contact HDOA's Animal Industry Division or check the current session status at capitol.hawaii.gov before assuming raw sales are legal.

Printable Checklist