No. Unpasteurized cheese is illegal for retail sale in Georgia under state health codes, aligning with FDA-equivalent standards enforced by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA). Exceptions exist solely for aged cheeses (60+ days) produced in licensed facilities, but interstate commerce remains prohibited unless compliant with federal pasteurization mandates.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Georgia
- 60-Day Aging Rule: Unpasteurized cheese may only be sold if aged ≥60 days at ≥35°F, per O.C.G.A. § 26-2-375. This mirrors FDA 21 CFR §133 but lacks Georgia-specific waivers.
- Licensing & Inspection: Producers must hold GDA dairy plant permits and undergo DPH inspections; raw milk cheeses face additional bacterial testing (e.g., E. coli, Listeria).
- Retail Ban: Direct-to-consumer sales of raw milk cheese are prohibited unless aged per federal standards, enforced via GDA market surveillance and DPH health advisories.
Recent 2026 shifts include stricter import controls on European raw milk cheeses (e.g., Comté, Reblochon) due to heightened FDA-GDA collaboration under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Violations incur fines up to $1,000 per O.C.G.A. § 26-2-376, with product seizure authority vested in GDA inspectors.