No, unpasteurized cheese is prohibited in Iceland under the Food Act No. 93/2019 and Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, which classify raw-milk products as high-risk. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) enforces a zero-tolerance policy for raw-milk cheeses, citing bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis risks. Import permits are denied unless cheeses undergo irradiation or equivalent treatment, aligning with EU biosecurity standards.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Iceland
- Domestic Production Ban: MAST prohibits the sale or distribution of unpasteurized cheese, including artisanal varieties, due to pathogen control requirements under Chapter 5, Article 22 of the Food Act.
- Import Restrictions: The Customs and Excise Act No. 91/1988 bans raw-milk cheese imports unless treated via pasteurization, high-pressure processing, or irradiation, with mandatory MAST certification.
- 2026 Compliance Shift: Pending amendments to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 will tighten import controls, requiring additional veterinary inspections for dairy products from third countries with unresolved zoonotic disease status.