Indiana Raw Milk Laws: The Comprehensive Guide

Access is technically legal but heavily restricted—for example, only allowing goat/sheep milk, requiring a doctor’s note, or being sold only as “Pet Food.” (Primarily pet food labeling)

Navigating Indiana Raw Milk Laws requires understanding a landscape that is strictly regulated for human consumption but offers unique pathways for animal health and private ownership. While the state maintains a firm stance on pasteurization for retail sales, Indiana remains a hub for “pet food” raw dairy and private herd share agreements.

The legal reality for Hoosiers is distinct from neighboring states. In Indiana, the focus shifts from the grocery aisle to specialized “commercial feed” registrations and private contracts, ensuring that those who seek high-quality, unprocessed dairy can find it within a specific legal framework.

Legal Pathways

In Indiana, raw milk access is defined by two primary legal avenues and two strict prohibitions.

1. Pet Food & Commercial Feed (The Primary Pathway)

The most common way to legally purchase raw milk in Indiana is through the “Commercial Feed” pathway. Under IC 15-19-7-17.5, raw milk is legally defined and permitted for sale if it is registered as animal feed.

What this means for you: You can find raw milk in retail stores or on farms, but it must be prominently labeled “NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.” This is not a suggestion; it is a statutory requirement [IC 15-19-7-40].
The Regulatory Oversight: These sales are governed by the Office of Indiana State Chemist (OISC) rather than the health department.

2. Herd Shares (The Private Pathway)

Indiana has no specific statute that either legalizes or prohibits herd shares. This creates a “non-statutory” legal space where the state has historically taken a “no action” stance.

What this means for you: Consumers enter into a private contract to own a portion of a dairy animal (a “share”). Because you own the animal, the milk it produces is legally yours to consume on your own property.
Documentation: This typically requires a Bill of Sale and a Boarding Agreement with the farmer [BOAH Dairy Policy].

3. Retail & On-Farm Sales (Prohibited)

It is strictly illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption in Indiana, whether in a grocery store or directly on a farm [IC 15-18-1-21].

What this means for you: Any farmer caught selling raw milk specifically for human use faces significant fines and “Class A infraction” penalties.

Safety & Standards

To ensure you are sourcing responsibly under Indiana Raw Milk Laws, Findingrawmilk.com recommends using this checklist when visiting a farm or reviewing a pet food label:

Licensing: Does the farm hold a valid Indiana Commercial Feed License? (Required for all pet food sales).
Labeling: Is the product clearly marked with the intended species (e.g., “Raw Goat Milk for Dogs”) and the mandatory “Not for Human Consumption” warning?
Testing: Does the farm voluntarily share their somatic cell count (SCC) or coliform counts? While not strictly required for pet food, top-tier producers will have this data.
Cooling: Is the milk chilled immediately to below 40°F after milking?

Official Word
“A person may not offer, display for sale, sell, deliver, or have possession of with intent to sell or deliver milk or milk products for human consumption unless every particle of the final mixture… has been thoroughly pasteurized.”
— IC 15-18-1-21(a)

Consumer Tips

Finding raw dairy in the Hoosier state requires a bit of “insider” knowledge. Since farmers cannot market their milk for human use, you must look for the correct terminology.

Search for “Pet Milk”: Many high-quality grass-fed dairies in Indiana list their products under the pet supply or animal feed section of their websites.
Ask About Ownership: If you want milk for your own kitchen, ask the farmer if they offer a herd share program. This is the only path to “legal” human consumption via ownership.
Check the State Chemist Database: You can verify a producer’s license through the Purdue-based OISC website.

Pro-Tip: In Indiana, “Raw Milk for Pets” is often the exact same high-quality milk the farmer’s family drinks. The labeling is a legal requirement of the Indiana Commercial Feed License, not necessarily a reflection of lower sanitary standards.

Official Resources

Find Raw Milk in Indiana