The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is now taking public comments on proposed changes to raw milk and raw milk products production and sales.
Help craft Alaskan food security and food safety!
After reading through the proposed language, and the FAQs, please take a moment to let them know your thoughts and suggestions (whether you agree or not) on the changes - your voice matters.
How do I submit comments on these proposed regulations?
Comments from the public and the regulated industry on the proposed regulation changes may be submitted in several ways, but the preferred method is online:
Online: Submit Comments
Mail: Shannon Miller, Department of Environmental Conservation, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
Email: shannon.miller@alaska.gov
Fax: 907-269-7654
The comments must be received not later than 11:59 p.m. on February 22, 2022.
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this process, please contact ADEC HR Manager Brian Blessington at (907) 269-6272 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 no later than February 11, 2022 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Notice of Proposed Changes in the Regulations
dealing with Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products Production & Sales
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation proposes to change regulations dealing with milk to allow for the sale of raw milk and raw milk products.
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 18 Chapter 32 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with Milk and Milk Products by adding a new section (18 AAC 32.070) Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products Production and Sales, and other conforming edits and clarifications to the chapter. The amendment includes the following:
Changing 18 AAC 32.060 by adding new language under (3) that allows the sale of raw milk and raw milk products under 18 AAC 32.070.
Changing 18 AAC 32 by adding a new section, 18 AAC 32.070 Raw Milk and Raw Milk Products Production and Sales, including provisions regarding:
(a) identifying that raw sheep, goat, or cow milk producers are not subject to all other provisions of the Milk and Milk Products Chapter except as identified in 18 AAC 32.070;
(b) facility requirements;
(c) container requirements;
(d) operating requirements;
(e) absence of drug residue requirements;
(f) transfer requirements;
(g) sale limitations;
(h) routine screening requirements;
(i) healthy animal requirements;
(j) voluntary testing of raw milk and raw milk products provisions;
(k) record retention requirements;
(l) inspection and audit authority;
(m) detention procedures;
(n) compliance with other statutes and regulations; and,
(o) definitions.
Have questions about the proposed changes?
Check out this FAQs page:
Frequently Asked Questions - RAW MILK AND RAW MILK PRODUCTS PRODUCTION AND SALES (18 AAC 32.070)
“What if I have another question that is not answered here?
DEC will respond to questions that are relevant to the proposed changes if the questions are received in writing at least ten days before the end of the public comment period. If questions are submitted after that, we may, but we are not required to, respond to those questions. The questions and answers will be available on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website. One consolidated answer may be provided for a group of questions that are similar, as appropriate.”
