AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question i recently received a gift package that contained 2 blocks of cheddar cheese. i have 2 questions:
- 1) the cheese was not refrigerated. it was out of a refrigerator at least 3 days. is it safe to eat? the package says "keep refrigerated" but the seller says it is fine. i am skeptical.
-2) the ingredients say "pasteurized skim milk" and some other stuff- does that mean the cheese is totally pasteurized? is it just about the milk? there are also "cheese cultures".
thank you.
June
Answer Hi June,
Block cheese in gift packages that say "keep refrigerated" are safe at room temperature but refrigeration prolongs quality. It is safe to consume, in fact natural cheeses taste better when served at room temperature than cold, though it's best to store, taking it out 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
Yes -- the cheese is totally pasteurized because it is made from pasteurized milk. Cheese cultures are added to the milk to cause the curd to form and to flavor the milk, giving the cheese it's individual, unique characteristics -- in this case cheddar.
