Dairy Products
June 4, 2024 - Questions about this information? Contact us.
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Key Information
Dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and butter require time and/or temperature control for consumer safety reasons and must be produced in a commercial kitchen. Only pasteurized milk and milk products can be sold, directly or indirectly, to consumers, restaurants, grocery stores, or similar establishments. All dairy products are licensed and regulated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) regardless of the volume of products processed. The Grade A Milk Law and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance cover Grade A products such as fluid milk, cottage cheese, sour cream, and yogurt products. The Manufacturing Milk Law also covers dairy products that are not Grade A, such as, butter, and frozen desserts.
Regulatory Body and Contact Information
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD): (800) 292-3939
Helpful Links
- MSU Extension
- MSU Product Center
- Call the MSU Extension Food Safety Hotline at (87) 643-9882
- Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)
Articles
- Myths and Facts about Raw Milk
- Urban and Rural Farmers Need a License to Legally Sell Milk and Dairy Products
- Ice Cream and Frozen Novelty Market Trends
Important Note
All food and beverage products (even similar items) may have different regulations depending on what ingredients are used, the location or facility in which it is being produced, the packaging materials used, the distribution or shipping methods, as well as a variety of others. Licensing and regulation for food and beverage production in Michigan is administered by Local Health Departments, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), local zoning regulations, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).
To guide you through the process of launching your food or beverage business, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s Product Center is an organization that brings together on-campus expertise in the sectors of food, agriculture, and natural resources to help entrepreneurs define and launch innovative products. Field-based innovation counselors advise entrepreneurs on a variety of services, including business planning, packaging and labeling rules, licensing and regulatory requirements, marketing, branding, distribution, product testing, and other product development needs.
To access business development assistance from the MSU Product Center staff, select the “Become a Client” button on the MSU Product Center website. There is a $100 application fee to join, which grants clients access to unlimited counseling hours. We also ask that clients sign a confidentiality agreement to protect their information.
If you have specific questions about how your product will be regulated, you may reach out to your Local Health Department or the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
