Consumer advocates warn of mold on cheese

Consumer Center warns: Beware of packaged cheese

09/23/2013

The Bavarian consumer center has made an investigation of the expiration date for sliced ​​cheese. A total of 40 different types of cheeses were purchased from the Greater Munich area and the Central Institute for Nutrition and Food Research in „Weihenstephan“ to get a check up. It came out that packaged cheese often begins to mold before the shelf life limit is exceeded. Especially cheese that is freshly bought and packaged at the cheese counter begins to mold faster than expected. Here it was 60 percent samples moldy.

For cheese, which has already been packaged under protective atmosphere at the manufacturer, it has been only 20 percent. The Consumer Center calls on manufacturers to act. "The expiration date of freshly cut cheese must be reconsidered by the providers and realistically be improved," says the head of the consumer center Bavaria Marion Breithaupt-Endres,

Although most of the discovered mold fungi are not harmful to their health, they are no longer suitable for consumption. The DNA analysis revealed that only cheese sample tasting is appropriate. The rest would be safe for your health. For the consumer is a distinction, whether harmful or not, but hardly possible. Therefore, the consumer center generally advises not to use the cheese at the first sign of mold. The goods should be claimed by the consumer in any case at the dealer. (Fr)

Picture: Peter Smola