Suggestion that raw milk cheese restriction could lift

Raw milk cheese restrictions could be eased in the coming years, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

At present, the Food Standards Code only allows production and sale of certain types of raw milk cheeses, however, FSANZ is calling for a wider range of options.

The emerging health benefits and popularity of raw milk products is increasing demand that the industry can’t handle at the moment. To supplement their proposal, FSANZ will include different requirements for the production and transportation of raw cheeses to ensure consumer safety.

FSANZ chief executive officer, Steve McCutcheon , explained that if the industry met strong health guidelines, hard blue cheeses or cheddars could be produced with raw milk.

“These include additional animal health, milking hygiene and temperature control requirements,” he said.

“Businesses would have to demonstrate to enforcement agencies that they are able to meet the requirements.”

Simon Schulz, owner and manager of Shulz Organic Farms, told the ABC that his business would greatly benefit from easing the current restrictions.

“We would be able to experiment with things that we haven’t done before,More importantly it gives the consumer greater choice. It puts us on an even level with the Europeans,” he explained.

“We currently can’t produce the equivalent in flavour to a lot of raw milk French cheeses, using pasteurised milk.”

Food regulations ministers on both side of the Tasman are expected to make their decision by the end of the year. If it is approved, then raw milk cheeses can be fully integrated by early 2015.

Tools for food manufacturers 

To adhere to the strong regulations around cheese and milk production, businesses need sufficient equipment to assist with refrigeration and storage.

The testo Stainless Steel Mini Thermometer is perfect for spot checking food stuffs to gauge temperature. As cheese is subject to strict climate controls, the testo 174H – Mini Humidity Data Logger could also be useful in storage facilities to maintain accurate conditions.