No, unpasteurized cheese is prohibited for sale in Australia under the Food Standards Code (Standard 4.2.4), with exceptions for aged hard cheeses (minimum 60 days maturation) permitted under strict conditions. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry enforces import bans, while Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulates domestic production. Recent 2026 amendments tighten traceability requirements for permitted cheeses to mitigate Listeria monocytogenes risks.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Australia
- Prohibition on Sale: Standard 4.2.4 of the Food Standards Code bans the sale of unpasteurized cheese unless aged ≥60 days, aligning with FSANZ’s microbiological risk assessments.
- Import Controls: The Biosecurity Act 2015 prohibits unpasteurized cheese imports unless accompanied by health certificates and subjected to mandatory irradiation or equivalent treatments.
- State-Level Enforcement: Primary producers must comply with state-based food safety laws (e.g., NSW Food Act 2003), where local councils conduct routine inspections to verify maturation claims and labeling accuracy.