Organic Valley Frequently Asked Questions

Cottage Cheese FAQ

What is Cottage Cheese?

Cottage Cheese is small curds of soft, white cheese in a delicious cream base. Organic milk is pasteurized at 161° for 16 seconds. In the case of lowfat cottage cheese, the cream is skimmed off. Culture and microbial enzymes are added and cheese forms. Then the cheese is cooled and cut into smooth, firm curds. The curds are heat treated and the whey is drained off. A dressing is made with cream, salt, and other organic ingredients and mixed into the curds. The curds are then vat set before packaging.

What makes it organic?

Wholesome, delicious, and nutritious Organic Valley cottage 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 Benefits of eating Cottage Cheese?

Organic Valley Cottage Cheese contains live cultures of Acidophilus and Bifidus, which are probiotics. Live cultures improve the microbial balance of the gastrointestinal tract. Improved microbial balance leads to improvements in lactose intolerance symptoms and improved gastrointestinal health.

What kinds of cottage cheese does Organic Valley make?

Organic Valley produces small curd, grade A, organic cottage cheese, and small curd, grade A, organic lowfat cottage cheese. Our lowfat cottage cheese is made with skim milk to lower the percentage of fat.

What sizes are available?

We currently sell our organic cottage cheese in a 16-ounce container. 

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