New era in cheese labels: The terms village cheese and natural cheese are banned! Here are the new production rules from the ministry...

Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has banned the use of non-milk proteins, starch and starch-based products, gelatin, soy products, and non-dairy animal and vegetable fats in cheese production under new labeling and production rules. The regulation also prohibits the terms “köy peyniri” (village cheese) and “doğal peynir” (natural cheese) on labels, tightening what producers can claim about their products. The move matters because it standardizes what qualifies as cheese in Turkey and limits cheaper substitutes used in production. Producers will need to reformulate products and revise packaging to comply, while retailers and consumers should watch for label changes and clearer ingredient lists.