FOOD NEWS
The Reason Epoisses Cheese Is Banned In The US
by NICK PISANO
France produces some of the world’s best-varied cheeses, but one of the country's most popular is barred by law from the United States.
It’s called Epoisses, and America keeps it off its shelves for one reason. Federal laws prohibit the importation of unpasteurized raw milk cheese that is less than 60 days old.
Regulators are concerned the cheese could harbor harmful bacteria or pathogens, particularly listeria, which the FDA says causes 260 deaths and 1,600 severe illnesses yearly.
However, the FDA does allow the sale of a pasteurized version of the cheese that experts say comes close to the real thing — including its powerful scent.