Minnesota law, found in Minnesota Statutes 32D. 20, restricts the sale of raw milk for human consumption; however, it does provide an alternative for people who want to consume raw milk. On an occasional basis, consumers may go directly to dairy farms to purchase raw milk directly from the farmer.

The pasteurization of raw milk ensures that all of the potentially harmful bacteria that is often in the milk mixture are killed, such as salmonella. However, pasteurizing raw milk also removes much of its naturally occurring nutrient content. The only state where there is no legal way to obtain raw milk is New Jersey.

By state law, Pennsylvania allows farmers to sell unpasteurized milk on-farm or via retail stores. Those farms must have a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to sell milk, milk products, and manufactured products from unpasteurized milk within the state of Pennsylvania.

Raw milk from cows, sheep, and goats may be legally sold in California if a dairy farm meets specific requirements for sanitation and licensing. Animals at the facilities and farms that are approved to sell raw milk in California must be tested for specific diseases, including brucellosis and tuberculosis.