Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Massachusetts but subject to strict state and federal dairy safety standards. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) enforce regulations aligning with FDA guidelines, permitting aged raw-milk cheeses (minimum 60 days) while prohibiting fresh or soft varieties unless pasteurized. Compliance with 2023 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) updates remains critical for interstate sales.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Massachusetts
- Aging Requirement: Only raw-milk cheeses aged ≥60 days at temperatures ≥35°F are permitted under 105 CMR 500.00, mirroring FDA 21 CFR 133.182. Aged varieties like Parmigiano-Reggiano comply; fresh cheeses do not.
- Licensing & Inspection: Producers must secure MDAR dairy plant licenses and undergo biannual inspections. Retailers require DPH-approved permits, with raw-milk cheese sales restricted to licensed specialty stores or farmers’ markets.
- Labeling & Traceability: Labels must declare “raw milk” and include lot numbers for FDA traceability per 21 CFR 101.9. MDAR’s 2024 guidance mandates QR codes linking to producer records for rapid recall responses.
Local enforcement prioritizes 2026 compliance with FDA’s proposed raw-milk cheese labeling reforms, which may tighten moisture content thresholds. Violations trigger immediate embargoes under 330 CMR 1.00.