The bill amends the Rhode Island General Laws under the "Milk Sanitation Code" to enhance the safety and quality of milk and milk products. Key insertions include a declaration of policy that underscores the importance of milk as a nutritious food and the need to safeguard its production and distribution to prevent disease transmission. It establishes that milk sold in Rhode Island must be of good quality, safe for consumption, and free from live bacteria. The bill introduces a definition for "raw milk" and allows its sale under specific conditions, including a physician's authorization for goat milk sales. Additionally, it mandates that producers of raw milk and raw milk cheese submit samples for analysis, and it requires permits for various stakeholders in the milk industry, emphasizing that operating without the appropriate permits is unlawful.

Moreover, the bill empowers the director of health to create regulations regarding standards for milk and raw milk, including labeling and sanitary standards. It mandates transparency by requiring industry participants to provide information to the director upon request and includes provisions for labeling containers of milk and raw milk products. The bill also allows for the inclusion of the breed of cows or registered trade names on milk labels, establishes that state provisions regarding milk standards take precedence over local regulations, and outlines conditions for farm home food manufacture. Additionally, it introduces a new section permitting the collection of mushrooms from state lands for personal use, while clarifying that income from farm home food manufacture is subject to sales and use tax. The act will take effect upon passage, legalizing the sale of raw milk and authorizing mushroom collection from state-controlled lands.

Statutes affected:
5354: 21-27-6.1