Organic Valley Frequently Asked Questions

Organic Valley Feta Cheese

What is Feta Cheese?

Feta is a classic Mediterranean cheese with a tradition dating back thousands of years. Considered one of the two oldest cheeses in the world, Feta is a white, rindless, semi-firm cheese with a salty, tangy flavor that can range from mild to sharp. In the making of feta cheese, the curd is heated, pressed into a form, and then salted in brine. Before it is packaged, Feta is kept in brine to preserve freshness, leading to a common description as "pickled cheese." The word "feta" comes from the Italian word "fette" which means "a slice of food."

What are good uses for Feta Cheese?

Feta Cheese brings a fresh Mediterranean flavor to a number of foods. It is great crumbled over pizza and pasta, or on a variety of salads such as warm beet salad or a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. Feta browns well and sautés without melting. Feta is perfect in scrambled eggs and omelets, crumbled in tacos, or used as part of a stuffing for zucchini, peppers, or tomatoes. One of the best and healthiest snacks or hors d'oeuvres is to simply fill toasted pita bread with Feta, toasted walnuts, fresh mint, and basil. It can be a distinctive addition to a Mediterranean-style antipasto tray along with sliced onion, cucumber, and hot pickled peppers. Feta is also used in baking, and in such savory pastries as spanakopita.

What makes the cheese organic?

Wholesome, delicious, and nutritious Organic Valley cheese is produced by cooperative family farmers working in harmony with nature.

The USDA organic standards are the strictest organic food labelling standards in the world.
Certified organic farms are required to follow the strict production rules of the USDA's National Organic Standards (www.ams.usda.gov/nop), and are inspected and audited for compliance by an independent third party for compliance every year.
Production plants, like the farms, are certified, inspected, and audited for compliance annually.
Organic farmers do not use antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or synthetic pesticides in production.
In the event of a life-threatening situation, antibiotics or other prohibited medications cannot be withheld and will be used by the farmer. However, those animals must then be permanently removed from organic production.
Once certified organic, the cows receive only 100% certified organic feed.
Organic cows are primarily fed on certified organic pasture during the grazing season, which provides better quality of life for the animal, superior animal health, and greater nutritive value in food derived from the animal.
Certified feed and pasture are grown on land not treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, or genetically modified organisms for a minimum of three years.
Organic animals and feeds must not be genetically modified organisms or contain products from genetically modified sources.

Every truckload of milk is tested for antibiotics, temperature, and bacteria, and all organic milk processing plants are inspected to verify organic product is never mixed with conventional product, non-approved ingredients, or cleaning materials.

What are the health benefits of eating Feta Cheese?

Beyond the personal health benefits of eating organic cheese, sustainable organic production methods promote the health of all life on earth, now and for the future.Cheese is a natural food providing a dense source of nutrients. It is a good source of calcium and protein. Calcium is essential for growing and maintaining strength and density of bones and teeth, and preventing osteoporosis. It supports normal cardiovascular, thyroid, and muscular function. Research suggests dietary intake of calcium between 1,000 and 1,500 mg daily makes cells less likely to store fat and more likely to burn fat when calorie intake is reduced. Research has shown milk from pasture-fed cows to be higher in nutritional value and antioxidant levels compared to milk from non-pastured cows.

What qualifies a cheese plant for organic production?

We take special care to protect the natural goodness of our products through observance of rigorous standards in all processes of cheese making. A plant qualified for production of organic cheese goes through an annual certification/audit process. This certification is conducted by a USDA accredited, independent certification agency. The certifier approves the plant's "Organic Handling Plan." Essential components of an organic handling plan include ensuring there is no co-mingling with non-organic product, and verification the product does not contain cleaners and sanitizers. In addition, the certifier approves product formulation and packaging.

Does Organic Valley use animal rennet to make our Feta Cheese?

Most cheese production requires the enzyme rennet to coagulate milk into curd. Organic Valley uses "microbial coagulants" in Feta Cheese instead of animal rennet. Using microbial coagulants allows us to serve the strict needs of vegetarians. Microbial coagulants are produced by a controlled fermentation process.

Does Organic Valley color its cheese?

We color our Colby and the rind of our Muenster cheese. Cheese is naturally white, like milk, and we like to leave it that way. However, Organic Valley has responded to customer requests for traditionally colored Colby and Muenster. To color Colby and the rind of Muenster we use annatto. Annatto is a natural coloring derived from a shrub indigenous to the Caribbean and Central America. The red pulp surrounding the seeds is a natural source of color. Organic Valley uses only ingredients approved by the strict USDA Standards for organic foods.

What varieties of Feta Cheese are available?

Organic Valley's Feta Cheese is available in 8 oz. blocks, and crumbled in 4 oz. tubs of clear recyclable plastic

We care for the earth while bringing you the highest quality food