Food: milk; sale of raw milk and raw milk products under the food law; allow. Amends secs. 1107, 1109 & 6140 of 2000 PA 92 (MCL 289.1107 et seq.) & adds secs. 4102a & 4102b. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5217'25, HB 5218'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 36 co-sponsors

Authorize direct farm-to-consumer sale of raw milk and products under Michigan Food Law, with designated agents, subject to Manufacturing Milk Law standards and MDARD oversight.

bill electronically reproduced 11/05/2025

#agriculture:products #food:milk #stateagencies(existing):agricultureandruraldevelopment

Purpose

HB 5219 would amend Michigan’s Food Law (2000 PA 92, MCL 289.1107 et seq.) to explicitly authorize the sale of raw milk and raw milk products under the state food law framework. The bill adds new statutory definitions and creates two new sections (4102a and 4102b) establishing the regulatory basis for “direct farm‑to‑consumer” sales of raw milk products that meet specified requirements.

Key provisions

Amends sections 1107, 1109, and 6140 of the Food Law and adds sections 4102a and 4102b.

Adds new definitions in section 1107 including:

“Direct farm‑to‑consumer producer” — a person producing products on their property for direct sale to consumers.
“Direct farm‑to‑consumer product” — raw milk or a raw milk product that complies with the requirements of section 70a of the Manufacturing Milk Law of 2001 (MCL 288.630a).
“Designated agent” — a person authorized by a direct farm‑to‑consumer producer to store, market, sell, transport, deliver or distribute those products.

Clarifies that “raw milk” or “raw milk product” means milk or a milk product that has not been pasteurized or homogenized, and ties allowable sales to compliance with MCL 288.630a.

Leaves other defined terms and the broader regulatory framework of the Food Law in place (inspections, evaluations, and enforcement still occur under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development).

Who would be affected

Direct farm operators and small dairy producers who want to sell raw milk or raw milk products directly to consumers.

Designated agents, farmers’ markets, or other entities used by producers to market/distribute raw milk products.

Consumers who purchase raw milk products.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (enforcement, oversight, and any rulemaking/inspection responsibilities).

Procedural / timeline notes

Filed: March 14, 2025.

Committee activity and public hearing held in April 2025; committee substitute reported favorably.

Amended, read, and passed/engrossed in May 2025 (records show actions through May 13, 2025).

Bill electronically reproduced and reintroduced November 5, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Government Operations on that date.

HB 5219 is tie‑barred with HB 5217 (’25) and HB 5218 (’25), indicating linked enactment requirements.

Potential impacts and considerations

Would expand legal avenues for direct sale of unpasteurized milk in Michigan (subject to compliance with referenced manufacturing milk law provisions).

May increase market access for small dairy producers and alter distribution channels (farm sales, agents, markets).

Raises public‑health considerations associated with raw milk consumption; any implementation would rely on statutory compliance standards in MCL 288.630a and enforcement by the department.

(Prepared as an objective summary of bill text and available legislative actions; not a legal interpretation.)

Bill