Articles by John A. Lucey Ph.D., Director, Center for Dairy Research

Cheese is a fermented product, which means that cheesemaking requires the growth of millions of bacteria, we call them starters (to start the acid development), to acidify the product. Initially, these bacteria originate from the raw milk itself (cow, milker, equipment, etc.).

Manufacturing safe, wholesome products is perhaps the most important aspect of any dairy foods business, especially when it comes to consumer confidence. Therefore, as an industry, we are always looking for ways to improve our products and maintain the most robust food safety protocols possible.

At its core, sustainability within the food industry is about creating products that provide maximum nutrient density for the consumer, while creating a minimal impact on the environment.

With more than two-thirds of households purchasing flavored cheese and over 283 million pounds sold in 2016 alone, there is no denying that this category is generating a lot of interest. In fact, nearly 300 new flavored cheese products were added to the market last year, flaunting flavors such as jalapeño, smoked, herb, pimento, taco, berry, alcohol, bacon, citrus and coffee.

Alive and ever-changing, microbes are responsible for everything from the safety of cheese to its flavor development during ripening. In fact, microbes in the form of starter culture, or adjunct bacteria/fungi, are ultimately responsible for turning milk into an almost endless array of cheese varieties.

Ensuring consumer safety through innovative technologies that improve product safety is a critical priority for the dairy industry. Important pillars of a safe dairy product include having high-quality raw materials, proper storage temperatures, proper pasteurization and good sanitation procedures.

From the appearance to the flavor profile, enjoying cheese is a wonderful sensory experience. As such, manufacturers work hard to meet the flavor, texture and visual expectations of customers, but visual defects can detract from the premium image of cheese.

In an ideal world, all solids in the cheese vat would end up in the finished product. Unfortunately, this is not possible with our current cheesemaking methods.

Latin American cheese production in the United States has seen substantial growth over the last decade. Driven by the increase in the Hispanic population in the United States, which is now over 55 million, as well as increased consumer interest in specialty cheese, production has increased from around 167 million pounds 10 years ago to around 254 million pounds in 2015.

Innovation is a major driving force in the dairy industry. From new product development to improved testing methods, the industry is constantly working to develop technologies that allow us to create uniquely delicious products that exceed consumer expectations.