Comparison of the Sanitary Conditions of Raw Milk Cheese and Pasteurized Milk Cheese Sold in the Market: A Preliminary Study

The purpose of this study was to explore the microbiological safety of various cheeses made from raw milk currently imported and sold in Korea.A total of 12 cheeses were considered for the study -4 kinds of imported cheese made from raw milk, 4 kinds of imported cheese made from pasteurized milk, and 4 kinds of domestic cheese made from pasteurized milk, and aerobic count, presence of E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes were investigated.Results from this study showed that in the 12 different kinds of cheese tested, E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes were negative.Therefore, the sanitary conditions of imported cheese made from raw milk, imported cheese made from pasteurized milk, and domestic cheese made from pasteurized milk are considered safe.The mean aerobic count in the 12 types of tested cheese was below 4.0 log CFU/g.In conclusion, various cheeses produced from raw milk or pasteurized milk currently sold in Korea have been found to be hygienic and safe.In the future, raw milk cheeses produced and sold in Korea will require long-term research not only to ensure safety but also to produce new, high-quality products.