However, not all cheeses have the same moisture content, acidity, or storage characteristics.
Hard cheeses such as Parmesan and aged cheddar generally have lower moisture content than soft cheeses. This difference can influence how easily certain microorganisms grow.
Soft cheeses include products such as Brie, Camembert, ricotta, cottage cheese, fresh mozzarella, cream cheese, and some varieties of fresh goat cheese.
Many soft cheeses contain more moisture and have a shorter storage life than hard, aged varieties.
Some also provide conditions that can support the growth of harmful bacteria if contamination occurs.
The concern about Listeria
Soft cheeses have received particular attention in food safety discussions because certain products may be associated with Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Listeria can survive and grow under refrigeration conditions. This means that cold storage alone does not eliminate the risk.
The level of risk depends on the cheese's production method, ingredients, moisture content, acidity, handling, and whether it was made with pasteurized or unpasteurized milk.
Soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk can carry additional food safety risks because raw milk may contain harmful microorganisms.
Pasteurization is a controlled heat treatment designed to destroy harmful bacteria in milk. Choosing products made with pasteurized milk can reduce certain risks, but it does not guarantee that contamination cannot occur later during production, packaging, or handling.
This distinction is important: pasteurized cheese can still become contaminated after the pasteurization process.
Why soft cheese should not be kept indefinitely
Some people leave cheese in the refrigerator for weeks because they assume that dairy products naturally last a long time.
This is not a safe assumption for every type of cheese.
Fresh mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese, and other fresh varieties often have relatively short storage periods. Once opened, they may deteriorate more quickly because they are exposed to air, utensils, and other sources of contamination.
Soft cheeses may also absorb odors and moisture from their surroundings. Improperly sealed containers can allow their quality to decline.
The best approach is to follow the manufacturer's storage instructions and use the cheese within the recommended period after opening.
How to store soft cheeses properly
Keep soft cheeses refrigerated at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Store them in their original packaging when appropriate, or transfer them to a clean, food-safe airtight container after opening.
Do not use the same spoon or knife repeatedly without cleaning it. For example, dipping a used knife into a container of cream cheese after spreading it on bread can introduce microorganisms into the remaining product.
Keep cheese away from raw meat, poultry, and seafood. These products should be stored in separate, leak-proof containers to prevent cross-contamination.
Avoid leaving cheese on the kitchen counter for long periods. Although cheese is sometimes served at room temperature to improve flavor and texture, it should not remain unrefrigerated for extended periods.
What if mold appears on the cheese?
The correct response depends on the type of cheese.
For firm cheeses such as Parmesan or cheddar, some food safety guidance allows a person to cut away mold at least one inch (2.5 centimeters) around and below the affected area, taking care not to let the knife touch the mold itself.
However, soft cheeses are different.
Because they contain more moisture, mold and other microorganisms can spread more easily beyond the visible area. Soft cheese with unexpected mold growth should generally be discarded rather than trimmed.
This includes cream cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese, fresh mozzarella, Brie, and other soft varieties when mold was not part of the product's intended characteristics.
Some cheeses are intentionally made with edible mold cultures. The white rind on Brie and Camembert, for example, is part of their normal production. The concern is unexpected mold growth, unusual discoloration, or signs of spoilage.
How to recognize possible spoilage
Discard soft cheese if you notice:
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An unusual sour, rotten, or ammonia-like smell.
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Unexpected changes in color.
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A slimy or excessively sticky surface.
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Unusual liquid separation accompanied by other signs of deterioration.
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Mold that is not part of the cheese's normal appearance.
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A broken seal or damaged package.
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A storage history that makes its safety uncertain.
Some cheeses naturally have strong odors or slightly different textures, so it is important to consider the product's normal characteristics. When in doubt, do not taste it to determine whether it is safe.
Who should be especially careful?
Pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should pay particular attention to soft cheese choices.
They should check labels carefully and avoid products made with unpasteurized milk when advised by food safety authorities.
Even when cheese is made from pasteurized milk, safe refrigeration and careful handling remain essential.
Soft cheese can still be part of a balanced diet. The key is choosing products carefully, respecting storage instructions, and avoiding unnecessary risks.
CHAPTER 4: HOW TO MAKE YOUR REFRIGERATOR SAFER AND PREVENT FOODBORNE ILLNESS
Knowing which foods require extra attention is only part of the solution. The way food is organized, cooled, packaged, and handled inside the refrigerator can be just as important.
A refrigerator is not a sterilizing machine. It does not remove bacteria from food, and it cannot restore food that has already become unsafe.
Instead, refrigeration helps slow microbial growth and preserve food quality.
To get the most benefit from it, households need to maintain appropriate temperatures and follow basic food hygiene practices.
1. Keep your refrigerator at the correct temperature
One of the most important steps is maintaining a refrigerator temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below.
Many people rely on the refrigerator's built-in temperature dial. However, the numbers on these controls do not always represent the actual temperature inside the appliance.
A separate refrigerator thermometer can help you check whether the unit is operating correctly.