Georgia enforces strict labelling of cheese and butter from July 1

Georgia is continuing to crack down on misleading labelling of dairy products.

From July 1 food labels such as cheese and butter will only apply to animal milk products.

A new norm imposed by the National Food Agency of Georgia does not permit the use of the name and label of "cheese” to those products which are made with milk powder.

Furthermore, producers will only be allowed to sell the product under the name "butter” where the fat content in milk is at least 39 percent and not more than 79 percent.

The amendments were made following the increasing demand on milk powder, which was creating non-competitive conditions for business operators in this field. The new regulations will protect the customers’ interests as well as support the honest business in the country. Also it will contribute to increasing competitiveness on the market and to developing cattle-farming,” said head of the National Food Agency Zurab Chekurashvili.

The amendments were introduced to the business operators who produce milk products in Georgia. Photo Georgian National Food Agency. 

The Georgian National Food Agency said the changes aimed to strengthen food safety in Georgia.

If the new regulations are not followed, business operators will be fined with 400 GEL at first and with 1,200 GEL if they repeat offend over the course of one year.

Technical Regulations on Milk And Dairy Products came into play in August 2015. The Regulations determined that food labels on products such as milk, sour cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, butter and other must be clearly labelled if any extra additives were added.