Are all cheeses required to be pasteurized in the U.S.?!
My husband and I were discussing the concern regarding eating soft cheeses while pregnant and he seems to think that it is required in the U!.S!. for all cheeses, soft included, to be pasteurized!. I think he's full of it and just wanted chevre cheese on the whole pizza! Is it indeed required in the U!.S!. that all cheeses be pasteurized!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Since World War II the FDA has prohibited the making of or selling of any un-pasteurized cheese that is aged less than sixty days!. Not only does the consumer suffer from forced pasteurization, but small cheese producers would likely suffer as well!. The relatively small companies which produce artisanal cheese won't be able to afford to change their production equipment to accommodate new regulations!. And what will happen when small companies and individual families no longer make distinctive, carefully-crafted cheese!? Big cheese companies will buy up the trademarked names or mass-produce, inferior version of the original which are similar enough to fool most consumers!. One shudders to think what Kraft Brand Parmesan Reggiano would be like!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I don't really understand your specifying soft or hard cheeses, but I buy raw cheese on a regular basis in IL, although technically it's against the law! It's just a ridiculous law, though, so a small health store by me gets around it somehow!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
All processed cheeses have to be pasteurized, but not natural cheeses!.Www@FoodAQ@Com