Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Romania but subject to strict EU-aligned sanitary controls enforced by the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA). Domestic production and imports require compliance with Regulation (EC) No 853/2004, with raw milk cheeses permitted only if aged ≥60 days or meeting equivalent safety standards. Recent 2026 amendments tighten traceability for artisanal producers, particularly in Transylvania and Maramureș.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Romania
- Mandatory aging: Unpasteurized cheeses must undergo ≥60 days of maturation to reduce microbial risks, per ANSVSA Directive 14/2023. Exemptions apply only for cheeses with validated alternative safety controls (e.g., pH <4.5).
- Traceability systems: Producers must register with ANSVSA’s Sistemul Național de Identificare și Înregistrare a Animalelor (SNIRA) and maintain batch-level records for raw milk sourcing, processing, and distribution.
- Import restrictions: Third-country cheeses require prior approval under Regulation (EU) 2019/2123, with additional veterinary checks at Romanian border points (e.g., Otopeni or Constanța) for raw milk products.
Non-compliance triggers immediate seizure under Law 150/2017 on food safety, with penalties up to €50,000 for repeat violations. Small-scale producers in protected geographical indication (PGI) zones (e.g., Brânză de Burduf) face stricter audits due to 2025 EU audits highlighting listeria risks in traditional cheeses.