Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Belgium but subject to stringent hygiene and labeling mandates under EU and national frameworks. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC/AFCS) enforces compliance, requiring producers to demonstrate compliance with microbiological safety standards. Retail sales are permitted, yet artisanal producers face heightened scrutiny, particularly for raw-milk cheeses aged under 60 days.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Belgium
- Mandatory Microbiological Testing: Producers must conduct regular Listeria monocytogenes and E. coli testing under FASFC Directive 2023/124, with results submitted quarterly for artisanal batches.
- Age Restrictions: Raw-milk cheeses aged less than 60 days are prohibited per EU Regulation 853/2004, unless producers obtain a derogation by proving safety through hazard analysis (HACCP).
- Traceability & Labeling: Cheeses must display “au lait cru” labels with producer registration numbers, batch identifiers, and origin declarations under Belgian Royal Decree of 2022-11-15.
Non-compliance risks immediate seizure, fines up to €400,000, or criminal liability under the Belgian Food Safety Law (2017). The FASFC’s 2026 inspection protocol will introduce real-time digital reporting for raw-milk cheeses, aligning with EU’s “Farm to Fork” strategy. Imported unpasteurized cheeses require third-country equivalence certification, further limiting market access.