FAQ-Dairy

• Who inspects dairy farms in Kansas?

  Inspectors with the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s dairy inspection program protect consumers in Kansas and other states. We regulate the dairy industry, starting at the farm and continuing as the milk and milk products are transported, processed, distributed and sold. Our activities include inspection of facilities and equipment, collection and testing of samples, educational activities, and consumer protection.

• How often are dairy farms inspected?

  Dairy farms producing both Grade A milk and manufacturing grade milk must be inspected and receive a permit from the dairy inspection program. Our inspectors make three or four inspection visits to each farm each year.

• What are the Kansas requirements for obtaining a new dairy farm permit?

  You will find general information and requirements for Grade A dairies and an application for the permit on the Dairy Industry webpage. While there, you will find milk safety information from FDA and access the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, which contains the detailed requirements which Kansas and all other states have adopted as regulations for dairy farms. Before beginning construction of a new dairy, you will need to contact the KDA dairy inspector in your area who will visit your farm site and discuss any questions you may have. During the construction period of your dairy facility, your inspector may make several visits and be available to answer any questions you may have. Once the construction is completed and any necessary water sample testing is done, a permit will be issued prior to your selling milk from the facility.

• What are the regulations concerning the sale of raw milk (un-pasteurized) in Kansas?

  Raw milk may sold from the farm where it was produced to the end consumer in Kansas. The sale must take place at the farm where it was produced. Any advertising and any containers used must plainly state that it is raw milk. The raw milk law is found in statute 65-771(w) and says: "On-farm retail sales of milk or milk products" means the sale of milk or milk products on the farm by the producer from the production of the dairy herd to the final consumer. Each container in which any unpasteurized milk is sold or offered for sale shall be clearly labeled as ungraded raw milk.

• How do I become a licensed milk hauler in Kansas?

  Milk haulers who measure, sample and transport milk from the farms to processing plants must be licensed. The Kansas Department of Agriculture dairy program conducts training and testing to become a licensed milk hauler. For first time haulers, the study material may be found on the Dairy Industry webpage. The application for license is also found at this location.
  
  

  After the applicant has studied the material, they will need to contact the dairy inspector in their area to arrange for testing and the on-farm evaluation of the measuring, sampling and milk collection techniques.

• How do out-of-state companies become licensed to distribute and sell milk and dairy products in Kansas?

  A milk distributor’s license is required for those milk distributors who distribute or sell Grade A milk and Grade A milk products in Kansas. Information about becoming a milk distributor and necessary applications are available on the Dairy Industry webpage.  Complete the form and send it to this office with the necessary annual license fee. When the milk distributors license is issued, you will receive a supply of the forms to report the pounds of milk and milk products sold in Kansas. If you have additional questions contact this office by phone at (785) 296-3511.

• As a consumer, if I purchase milk or dairy products that are spoiled, soured or are contaminated in any way, where or to who do I report this to?

  The dairy inspection program of the KDA investigates all consumer complaints that we receive concerning dairy products. You can contact us by phone at (785) 296-3511 or fill out a consumer complaint form online. Once a complaint is received you will be contacted by phone and if necessary a KDA inspector will collect a sample of the dairy product in question for analysis in our KDA dairy laboratory. Following the investigation, you will be made aware of any action that was taken.

• How do I start a small scale milk or dairy processing facility in Kansas?

  In general, small scale processors must conform to all regulations that large dairy processing plants comply with in order to provide dairy products that are safe and wholesome for the consumer. The most critical point is the pasteurization process.

  The regulations for pasteurizing milk are found in FDA's Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. Other requirements for the construction and operation of a processing plant are also found on the Dairy Industry webpage and the FDA Milk Safety webpage.

  Application forms for a Kansas dairy manufacturing plant license can be on the Dairy Industry webpage. Contact this office by phone at (785) 296-3511.