Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Austria but subject to strict EU and national hygiene regulations. Sales are permitted only if producers comply with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 and Austrian Lebensmittelsicherheits- und Verbraucherschutzgesetz (LSVG) standards. Retail distribution requires prior approval from the AGES (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety), with mandatory pathogen testing for E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. The 2026 EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy tightens controls, mandating enhanced traceability for raw-milk cheeses.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Austria
- Mandatory Approval: Producers must register with AGES and obtain a hygiene certificate under LSVG §17, verifying compliance with EU Regulation 2074/2005.
- Pathogen Testing: All unpasteurized cheeses require microbiological testing (e.g., Listeria monocytogenes at ≤100 CFU/g) before market release, per AGES guidelines.
- Labeling Requirements: Packaging must state “aus Rohmilch” (from raw milk) and include a lot number traceable to the dairy farm, aligning with EU Regulation 1169/2011.