Expert: Carol Schlitt - 11/17/2006

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.

A great research-based chart to refer to for the safety of mail order food gifts is: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Mail_Order_Food_Safety_Table/index.asp

I hope you will enjoy your cheese this holiday seaseon.

If I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

Carol