Cheese, processed cheese and cheese preparation

The Ministry of Trade and Industry on Cheese Decree (856/2007) was repealed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Decree on requirements for certain food products (264/2012, amendment 308/2013). The Decree entered into force on 1 July 2012.

National regulation continues to define cheese, processed cheese and cheese preparation. The Decree provides for the labelling of cheese, processed cheese and cheese preparation. Both prepacked products and non-prepacked products must indicate the average fat content by weight at the time of manufacture or expressed as separately provided for in nutrition labelling as well as the origin of the milk, where other than cows' milk has been used. These labelling requirements also apply to products imported from elsewhere.

Names of established cheeses and cheese preparations such as Emmental cheese, Gruyère cheese, Edam cheese, Gouda cheese, fresh cheese, egg cheese, "leipäjuusto" (Finnish oven cheese), cottage cheese, milk curd and cream curd may continue to be used provided that the names do not mislead.

Page last updated 1/10/2023