No, unpasteurized cheese is prohibited for sale in Turkey under the Regulation on Raw Milk and Dairy Products (2021), enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Exemptions exist only for artisanal producers with in-house consumption or direct farm sales, subject to provincial veterinary inspections. The 2026 draft amendments tighten controls, mandating pasteurization for all commercial dairy products.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Turkey
- Mandatory Pasteurization: Commercial sale of unpasteurized cheese is banned per Regulation on Raw Milk and Dairy Products (Official Gazette No. 31510, 2021), aligning with EU standards. Only pasteurized or thermized cheeses may enter interprovincial trade.
- Artisanal Exemptions: Small-scale producers may sell unpasteurized cheese directly to consumers if registered under the Veterinary Health Certificate system, with annual inspections by provincial Gıda ve Kontrol Genel Müdürlüğü (Food and Control General Directorate) teams.
- Import Restrictions: Unpasteurized cheeses face automatic rejection at customs unless accompanied by EU-compliant health certificates and proof of pasteurization. The 2026 amendments propose stricter microbiological testing for imported dairy.