DESCRIPTION

Cheddar is a ripened hard cheese in conformity with the General Standard for Cheese (CXS 283-1978). The body has a near white or ivory through to light yellow or orange colour and a firm-textured (when pressed by thumb), smooth and waxy texture. Gas holes are absent, but a few openings and splits are acceptable. The cheese is manufactured and sold with or without 1rind which may be coated.
For Cheddar ready for consumption, the ripening procedure to develop flavour and body characteristics is normally from 5 weeks at 7–15 °C depending on the extent of maturity required. Alternative ripening conditions (including the addition of ripening enhancing enzymes)may be used, provided the cheese exhibits similar physical, biochemical and sensory properties as those achieved by the previously stated ripening procedure. Cheddar intended for further processing need not exhibit the same extent of ripening when justified through technical and/or trade needs.

ESSENTIAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY FACTORS

Raw materials Cows’ milk or buffaloes’ milk, or their mixtures, and products obtained from these milks.
Permitted ingredients
- Starter cultures of harmless lactic acid and/ or flavour producing bacteria and cultures of other harmless microorganisms;
- Rennet or other safe and suitable coagulating enzymes;
- Sodium chloride and potassium chloride as a salt substitute;
- Potable water;
- Safe and suitable enzymes to enhance the ripening process;
- Safe and suitable processing aids;
- Rice, corn and potato flours and starches: Notwithstanding the provisions in the General Standard for Cheese (CXS 283-1978), these substances can be used in the same function as anti-caking agents for treatment of the surface of cut, sliced, and shredded products only, provided they are added only in amounts functionally necessary as governed by Good Manufacturing Practice.

Composition

Milk constituent	Minimum content (m/m)	Maximum content (m/m)	Reference level *(m/m)*
Milk fat in dry matter:	22%	Not restricted	48% to 60%
Dry matter:	Depending on the fat in dry matter content, according to the table below.
	Fat in dry matter content *(m/m):*		Corresponding minimum dry matter content (m/m):
	Equal to or above 22% but less than 30%:		49%
	Equal to or above 30% but less than 40%:		53%
	Equal to or above 40% but less than 48%:		57%
	Equal to or above 48% but less than 60%:		61%
	Equal to or above 60%:		66%

Only those additives classes indicated as justified in the table below may be used for the product categories specified. Anticaking agents, colours and preservatives used in accordance of the General Standard for Food Additives (CXS 192-1995) in food (Ripened cheese, includes rind) and only certain acidity regulators, anticaking agents and colours in are acceptable for use in foods conforming to this standard.

X The use of additives belonging to the class is technologically justified.
– The use of additives belonging to the class is not technologically justified.

The products covered by this Standard shall comply with the Maximum Levels for contaminants that are specified for the product in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS 1931995).
The milk used in the manufacture of the products covered by this Standard shall comply with the Maximum Levels for contaminants and toxins specified for milk by the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS 193-1995) and with the maximum residue limits for veterinary drug residues and pesticides established for milk by the CAC.

It is recommended that the product covered by the provisions of this standard be prepared and handled in accordance with the appropriate sections of the General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969), the Code of Hygienic Practice for Milk and Milk Products (CXC 57-2004) and other relevant Codex texts such as Codes of Hygienic Practice and Codes of Practice The products should comply with any microbiological criteria established in accordance with the Principles and Guidelines for the Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria Related to Foods (CXG 21-1997).

In addition to the provisions of the General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985) and the General Standard for the Use of Dairy Terms (CXS 206-1999), the following specific provisions apply:
Name of the food
- The use of the name is an option that may be chosen only if the cheese complies with this standard. Where the name is not used for a cheese that complies with this standard, the naming provisions of the General Standard for Cheese (CXS 283-1978) apply.
- The designation may also be used for cut, sliced, shredded or grated products made from cheese which cheese is in conformity with this Standard.
Country of origin
- The country of origin (which means the country of manufacture, not the country in which the name originated) shall be declared. When the product undergoes substantial transformation 3in a second country, the country in which the transformation is performed shall be considered to be the country of origin for the purpose of labelling.
Declaration of milk fat content
- The milk fat content shall be declared in a manner found acceptable in the country of retail sale either (i) as a percentage by mass, (ii) as a percentage of fat in dry matter, or (iii) in grams per serving as quantified in the label, provided that the number of servings is stated.

For checking the compliance with this standard, the methods of analysis and sampling contained in the Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CXS 234-1999) relevant to the provisions in this standard, shall be used.