Yes, unpasteurized cheese is legal in Spain but subject to strict sanitary controls under EU and national regulations. Production and sale require compliance with hygiene standards, traceability protocols, and regional health authority approvals, with recent 2026 updates tightening raw-milk cheese labeling and aging requirements to mitigate Listeria risks.
Key Regulations for Unpasteurized Cheese in Spain
- EU Regulation 853/2004 (Annex III, Section IX): Mandates raw-milk cheese must undergo a maturation period of at least 60 days (or 90 days for certain varieties) to reduce microbial hazards, enforced by Spain’s Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN).
- Royal Decree 1086/2020: Implements EU hygiene rules domestically, requiring producers to register with Comunidades Autónomas health authorities and submit monthly microbiological testing reports for raw-milk cheeses.
- 2026 AESAN Guidance: Introduces mandatory HACCP-based risk assessments for artisanal producers, with third-party audits for PDO/PGI cheeses (e.g., Manchego, Cabrales) to ensure compliance with Reglamento (UE) 2018/848 organic standards.
Local health departments (Servicios de Sanidad Exterior) conduct unannounced inspections, particularly targeting cheeses sold in markets like Mercado de la Boquería or exported to high-risk EU states. Non-compliant products face seizure under Ley 17/2023 on food safety enforcement.