No. Unpasteurized cheese is prohibited in Egypt under the Ministry of Health and Population’s 2023 food safety decree, which aligns with WHO standards for high-risk dairy products. The regulation bans raw milk cheeses due to listeriosis and brucellosis risks, with exceptions only for hard cheeses aged ≥60 days if laboratory-tested. Enforcement is strict, with customs seizures at ports and periodic market raids by the Egyptian Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Egypt
- Ministry of Health and Population Decree No. 458/2023 explicitly prohibits the production, import, or sale of unpasteurized soft and semi-hard cheeses, citing microbial contamination risks.
- EFSA Circular 12/2024 mandates pasteurization certificates for all dairy imports, with uncertified shipments subject to destruction or re-export within 30 days.
- Customs Authority Guidelines (2025 update) classify unpasteurized cheese as a “prohibited food item,” requiring pre-clearance inspections for any dairy consignments, including those from EU or US suppliers.
Non-compliance triggers fines up to EGP 500,000 (≈$10,000) and criminal liability under the Food Safety Law No. 181/2023. Exemptions exist solely for aged hard cheeses (e.g., Parmigiano Reggiano) with EFSA-approved microbiological clearance, but these require prior registration and batch testing.