Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Ireland but subject to strict food safety controls under national and EU frameworks. The FSAI enforces microbiological standards, while the DAFM regulates raw milk cheese imports. Recent 2026 EU hygiene regulations tighten compliance for high-risk products, requiring enhanced pathogen testing and traceability.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Ireland
- EU Regulation 853/2004 mandates raw milk cheese must mature for ≥60 days at ≥5°C to reduce Listeria monocytogenes risk, with derogations for hard cheeses aged ≥90 days.
- FSAI Guidance Note 2024-03 requires Irish producers to implement HACCP plans, including daily pathogen testing for E. coli and Salmonella in raw milk cheeses.
- DAFM Import Controls demand third-country cheeses demonstrate equivalent safety standards; non-compliant consignments face detention under Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Domestic producers must register with the DAFM under the Milk and Dairy Products Hygiene Regulations 2023, while retailers face audits for storage temperatures (≤4°C) and labeling compliance. Failure to meet these standards triggers enforcement actions, including product recalls or criminal liability under the European Union (Food Hygiene) Regulations 2020.