January 24, 2001

USDA has revised the U.S. Standards Grades of Swiss Cheese, Emmentaler Cheese. The changes lower the minimum eye size requirement for Grade A Swiss cheese and include provisions to clarify uniformity of eye size. The same eye size provisions are included for Grade B Swiss cheese.

In addition, the changes remove block height recommendations for rindless Swiss cheese; provide a more descriptive representation of acceptable color for Grades A and B Swiss cheese by defining the range of acceptable color as white to light yellow; correct errors in the table that summarizes eye and texture characteristics of Swiss cheese; and reformat information in these standards to make the standards easier to use and provide a uniform appearance.

Officials say the changes will strengthen the quality requirements of this standard to reflect improvements in Swiss cheese quality and provide consistency with other dairy product standards

USDA requested comments on proposed changes to the standards in a Federal Register notice on July 20, 2000. After reviewing the comments, USDA determined that changes are appropriate and revised the standards accordingly. The revised United States Standards for Swiss Cheese, Emmentaler Cheese will become effective on Feb. 22.

The revised Standards are available from Duane R. Spomer, Chief, Dairy Standardization Branch, Dairy Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 2746, South Building, Stop 0230, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456 or by accessing the AMS Home Page at www.ams.usda.gov/dairy/stand.htm.