FOOD NEWS
The Reason Époisses Cheese Is Illegal In The U.S.
By Nick Johnson
Époisses cheese is a delicacy from Burgundy, France, but unfortunately, importing it into the United States is illegal if you ever want to enjoy its fruity tang.
According to the USDA, there is potential for Époisses cheese to develop dangerous bacteria, some of which can carry a slew of infections that could be life-threatening.
Époisses cheese starts its life as raw (unpasteurized) milk, and it is then left to age and develop flavorful, safe-to-eat bacteria.
The USDA has strict regulations regarding the sale and import of cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, specifically cheeses aged for less than 60 days.
The reason for this and other time-based restrictions is that, as cheese ages, it develops salts and acids that can better fight off harmful bacteria.
Époisses cheese is generally aged for less than 60 days, so it can potentially develop pathogens like listeria and E. coli.
While a cheese can only bear the name Époisses if made with raw milk, you can find varieties in the U.S. made from a pasteurized version of the product, but they may be less tasty.