Dairy & egg dishes

Can I sell raw (unpasteurised) milk in BC?

Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream must be made in a licensed dairy plant — in every region. Dishes built on eggs or dairy, like custard and egg salad, are higher-risk, and so are plant-based cheeses, milks and egg substitutes.

However it was produced

At a farmers’ market
A market with a market manager — farmers’ markets, Christmas markets, craft fairs
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.
At a festival or event
Fairs, festivals, sports events, fundraisers — anything that is not a market
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.
From your door, shop or farm gate
Customers buy where you make, grow or sell it
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.
Online, with pickup or delivery
Orders taken online, by message or by phone
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.
To shops, cafés & restaurants
Wholesale, or on consignment in someone else’s store
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.
To customers outside BC
Shipping or selling across a provincial border
No
No — not from the farm, at a market, online, or through a herd or cow share. BC’s Milk Industry Act forbids anyone to “sell, offer for sale or supply” unpasteurised dairy, BC also names raw milk a health hazard, and federal law bans its sale. The one unpasteurised product allowed is cheese made in a licensed dairy plant and aged at 2°C or warmer for at least 60 days.

The rules behind these answers

Sources

Milk Industry Act(ss. 6 and 13)Province of British Columbia (BC Laws) · Current to September 22, 2026
Health Hazards Regulation, B.C. Reg. 216/2011(s. 2(a))Province of British Columbia (BC Laws) · Current to September 22, 2026
Food and Drug Regulations, C.R.C., c. 870(B.08.002.2)Government of Canada (Justice Laws) · Current to 2026-09-03 (last amended 2026-06-17)
Food and Drug Regulations, C.R.C., c. 870(B.08.044)Government of Canada (Justice Laws) · Current to 2026-09-03 (last amended 2026-06-17)

How it’s classified

In force — 2020 guideline

Its own rules

Sources

Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets(p. 9 · Appendix II, Higher Risk Foods)BC Centre for Disease Control · August 2020 revision
Milk Industry Act(s. 6)Province of British Columbia (BC Laws) · Current to September 22, 2026

Proposed — 2026 draft

Its own rules

Sources

Guideline for the Sale of Foods at Temporary Food Markets in British Columbia (draft)(p. 23 · Appendix II, Higher Risk Foods)BC Centre for Disease Control · 2026 draftDraft

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