Malaysia has granted legal protection to the name of Greece’s feta cheese, registering the product as a geographical indication and giving Greek producers greater safeguards against unauthorized use of the name in the Malaysian market.
The registration was published on Monday by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, known as MyIPO. The European Commission informed Greek authorities of the decision, according to an announcement from Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
Feta already holds protected designation of origin status in the European Union. The Malaysian registration extends official recognition of the name beyond the EU and strengthens efforts to prevent its use by producers who lack authorization.
For Greece, the decision carries importance beyond labeling. Feta is one of the country’s most recognizable food products, and its protected status supports livestock farmers, cheesemakers, and businesses that follow established production requirements.
Malaysia’s legal protection for feta cheese supports Greek producers
Greek officials said the decision helps preserve the value associated with authentic feta and gives consumers greater confidence in the product’s identity. It also creates better conditions for Greek feta to expand its commercial presence in Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian market.
Η ελληνική Φέτα ΠΟΠ αποκτά επίσημη προστασία και στη Μαλαισία – Σημαντικό βήμα για την προστασία της ονομασίας και την ενίσχυση της παρουσίας των ελληνικών προϊόντων στις διεθνείς αγορέςhttps://t.co/Th3ToyjSQa pic.twitter.com/PH5Lz6T7fd
— Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων (@MinagricPress) November 11, 2026
Spyros Protopsaltis, Greece’s secretary-general for rural development and food, described the registration as a positive step for a widely recognized Greek product. He said feta forms an important part of Greece’s production identity and provides income for livestock farmers and dairy businesses.
Protopsaltis said protecting the name outside Europe was necessary to safeguard authenticity, discourage unfair practices and help Greek products compete internationally. He also said the government wants quality Greek foods to gain a stronger foothold abroad while respecting their origins and the people who produce them.
The registration is part of broader work by Greek authorities and the European Commission to protect European geographical indications in countries outside the bloc.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
