No, raw cow, sheep, or goat milk intended for direct human consumption is illegal in Greece under EU hygiene regulations. Sales are restricted to pasteurized products, though unprocessed milk may be sold on-farm for animal consumption under strict veterinary oversight.
Key Regulations for Raw Milk in Greece
- EU Regulation 853/2004 mandates pasteurization for retail raw milk; Greece enforces this via Ministerial Decision Δ1(δ)/ΓΠ.οικ.56702/2021, aligning with EFSA risk assessments.
- Ministry of Rural Development & Food (ΥΠΑΑΤ) permits raw milk sales only to registered processing establishments or for direct consumption on the farm (Art. 12, Law 4608/2019), with mandatory veterinary inspections.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Greece will adopt EU Regulation 2017/625 enforcement protocols, requiring digital traceability for all milk batches, including unprocessed milk sold for animal feed.
Non-compliance risks administrative fines up to €50,000 (Law 4608/2019, Art. 54) and criminal liability under Penal Code Article 282 for endangering public health. Exemptions exist for traditional cheese production (PDO/PGI labels), but only under EFSA-approved derogations.