Laboratory Testing and Inspections

Only raw milk produced and sold under the following nine testing and inspection standards may bear the RAW USA Raw Milk Certification:

1. All samples shall be submitted to an approved dairy lab for testing. All test results shall be kept for a minimum of three years at the dairy where the milk is produced.
2. Test results shall be made available for inspection by any raw milk consumer or upon request by the RAW USA certification inspector.
3. At initial certification the dairy shall pass a checklist verified by an inspector from RAW USA.
4. At least annually a raw milk consumer that buys milk from the dairy must complete the RAW USA checklist.
5. Results of this people's inspection check list must be made available to RAW USA accompanied by pictures of the dairy, pastures, and cows, and copies of the preceding three months' test results. These reports and pictures may be posted at the RAW USA website for public review. This is mandatory for continued certification and use of the RAW USA certification.
6. One time every three years a RAW USA inspector will visit the dairy and assure compliance with protocols and standards.
7. If at any time test results indicate that a pathogen has been found, all raw milk sales must stop until a negative pathogen test confirms that no pathogens are in the milk samples drawn from finished bottled milk products ready for sale or from bulk tanks that supply that milk.
8. At initial certification, all MNP certified dairies must demonstrate and submit a series of 4 (SPC and pathogens) over a 2-month period where all test results are in compliance with all RAW USA standards. That means zero human pathogens and SPC counts less than 15,000 per ml.
9. Dairy must keep a file for any consumer complaints and that file must be made available to any inspector or consumer.