Whole Foods Market

Safe Handling and Storage of Cheese

Ambient Cheese

Ambient Cheese List

Item NameWater

ActivityPH Table B

Forever Cheese

Ubriaco al Prosecco 0.800 5.57 non-phf/non-tcs

Ubriaco del Piave 0.800 5.57 non-phf/non-tcs

Ubriacone 0.800 5.57 non-phf/non-tcs

Pecorino Toscano Dop 0.827 5-5.15 non-phf/non-tcs

Genuine Fulvi Pecorino Romano Cheese 0.820 4.60 non-phf/non-tcs

Paski Sir 0.804 5.74 non-phf/non-tcs

Mahon Reserva 0.860 5.50 non-phf/non-tcs

Best Cheese Corp

Robusto 0.887 4.89 non-phf/non-tcs

Parrano 0.896 5.50 non-phf/non-tcs

Uniekaas Reserve 0.890 5.75 non-phf/non-tcs

Vintage 3-year Aged Gouda < 0.85 5.70 non-phf/non-tcs

Vintage 5-year Aged Gouda 0.852 5.80 non-phf/non-tcs

Emmi Roth Gran Queso 0.864 5.00 non-phf/non-tcs

AtalantaPiave Cheese Wheel aged over 12 months 0.850 5.09 non-phf/non-tcs

Perenzin Montasio 0.841 non-phf/non-tcs

Fond O' FoodsHirtenkase Classic 0.860 5.150 non-phf/non-tcs

Hirtenkase Reserve 0.827 5.150 non-phf/non-tcs

Date Marking Cheese

Cheese Code DateDisplay

RecommendationsRefrigerated Ambient

Fresh Cheese-chevre, feta, mozzarella 7 days XFeta in brine can be dated for 90 days ONLY if the cheese is stored & displayed COMPLETELY submerged in brine

Fresh Chevre large logs-over 8 oz 14 days X

Soft-ripenened 7 days XWhole wheel products without manufacturer dating recommendations-30 days from receipt

Washed rind 30 days X

Hard-Romano and Parmesan style products

30 days if displayed in refrigeration X Product on display can be grated; code date must not exceed original "sell by" (max. code 21-days).

21 days if displayed in ambient X

Semi-firm and Firm30 days if displayed in refrigeration X21 days if displayed in ambient X

Cheddar30 days if displayed in refrigeration X21 days if displayed in ambient X

Pressed-Gruyere, Comte30 days if displayed in refrigeration X21 days if displayed in ambient X

Semi-soft 21 daysBlue 21 daysGrated and Shredded Cheeses 21 days pack tight to reduce oxygen presence

Marinated Cheeses21 days X

does not apply to marinated cheeses made instore. These are 7 days

7 days if made in-store X

Date Marking Exemptions for Cheese

Hard and semi-soft cheeses manufactured according to 21 CFR 133

WFM Cheese Storage

Health Departments and the Food Code

3rd Party Audits at WFM for safe storage and display of cheese

Temperature testing at Receiving

Temperature testing and logging every 4 hours

Equipment Design and safe holding

Cheese Food Safety: Other Supplier Requirements

• All producers must be licensed and approved by the State agency with oversight

• Must register with FDA as a food facility

• Must comply with FDA Bio-Terrorism act

• Must submit to regular sampling by FDA and State Health authorities.

WFM “Must Have” from Cheese Vendors

3rd Party Audit/Assessment from approved provider

cGMPs

HACCP Plan

Product Testing program

Environmental Testing program

Liability Insurance