Turkey bans village and natural labels on cheese

Turkey has overhauled its cheese production and labeling rules under a new Turkish Food Code Cheese Communiqué published in the Official Gazette on November 10, 2026. The regulation, prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, replaces the 2015 communiqué and covers production, hygiene, storage, and marketing from producer to consumer.

Labels may no longer carry terms such as “village cheese,” “traditional cheese,” “natural cheese,” or “farm cheese.” The Ministry says these phrases can mislead consumers about the nature of the product they are buying.

“These phrases can mislead consumers about the nature of the product they are buying.”

Cheeses must now display their fat-content class next to the product name, using the same percentage and at least 3 mm type size so shoppers can see it easily. Ripened and unripened status must also be stated, with limited exceptions for fresh, melting, and tulum cheeses.

Cheeses made from raw or thermized milk that have not been heat-treated to pasteurization level cannot be sold fresh. They must be aged for at least four months under suitable conditions before going on sale. Such products must also carry the statement “produced from raw milk” next to the product name in at least 3 mm type.

Products made from mixed milk must list animal species in descending order of quantity and may not show pictures of cows, sheep, or goats on their labels. Other ingredients, including milk proteins other than casein, starch-based products, gelatin, soy, and vegetable oils, are banned in cheese production, except for starch used as a stabilizer in seasoned fresh cheeses. Seasoned cheeses may contain up to 6 percent total seasoning, or 15 percent for seasoned fresh cheeses, and hard-shelled nuts must be used whole or in pieces, not ground or pureed.

All cheeses and whey cheeses must be stored, transported, and offered for sale below 10 degrees Celsius. Existing food businesses have until April 30, 2027 to bring their production and labeling into line with the new rules.