[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR133.152]

[Page 333]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                           SERVICES--CONTINUED
 
PART 133--CHEESES AND RELATED CHEESE PRODUCTS--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart B--Requirements for Specific Standardized Cheese and Related 
                                Products
 
Sec. 133.152  Limburger cheese.

    (a) Description. (1) Limburger cheese is the food prepared by one of 
the procedures set forth in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, or by any 
other procedure which produces a finished cheese having the same 
physical and chemical properties. The minimum milkfat content is 50 
percent by weight of the solids and the maximum moisture content is 50 
percent by weight, as determined by the methods described in Sec. 133.5. 
If the dairy ingredients used are not pasteurized, the cheese is cured 
at a temperature of not less than 35  deg.F for at least 60 days.
    (2) If pasteurized dairy ingredients are used, the phenol equivalent 
value of 0.25 gram of limburger cheese is not more than 4 micrograms as 
determined by the method described in Sec. 133.5.
    (3) One of the following procedures may be followed for producing 
limburger cheese:
    (i) One or more of the dairy ingredients, unpasteurized, specified 
in paragraph (b)(1) of this section is warmed to about 92  deg.F and 
subjected to the action of a lactic acid-producing bacterial culture. 
One or more of the clotting enzymes specified in paragraph (b)(2) of 
this section is added to set the dairy ingredients to a semisolid mass. 
The mass is cut into cubes with sides approximately one-half inch long. 
After a few minutes the mass is stirred and heated, gradually raising 
the temperature to 96 deg. to 98  deg.F. The curd is then allowed to 
settle, most of the whey is drained off, and the remaining curd and whey 
dipped into molds. During drainage the curd may be pressed. It is turned 
at regular intervals. After drainage the curd is cut into pieces of 
desired size and dry-salted at intervals for 24 to 48 hours. The cheese 
is then cured with frequent applications of a weak brine solution to the 
surface, until the proper growth of surface-curing organisms is 
obtained. It is then wrapped and held in storage for development of as 
much additional flavor as is desired. One or more of the other optional 
ingredients specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section may be added 
during the procedure.
    (ii) One or more of the dairy ingredients specified in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section is pasteurized, brought to a temperature of 
89 deg. to 90  deg.F. after pasteurization, and is subjected to the 
action of a lactic acid-producing bacterial culture. The procedure is 
then the same as in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section, except that 
heating is to 94  deg.F. After most of the whey is drained off, salt 
brine at a temperature of 66 deg. to 70  deg.F is added, so that the pH 
of the curd is about 4.8. The mixed curd, whey, and brine is dipped into 
molds, and the remaining procedure specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of 
this section is followed.
    (b) Optional ingredients. The following safe and suitable 
ingredients may be used:
    (1) Dairy ingredients. Milk, nonfat milk, or cream, as defined in 
Sec. 133.3, used alone or in combination.
    (2) Clotting enzymes. Rennet and/or other clotting enzymes of 
animal, plant, or microbial origin.
    (3) Other optional ingredients. (i) Coloring.
    (ii) Calcium chloride in an amount not more than 0.02 percent 
(calculated as anhydrous calcium chloride) by weight of the dairy 
ingredients, used as a coagulation aid.
    (iii) Enzymes of animal, plant, or microbial origin, used in curing 
or flavor development.
    (c) Nomenclature. The name of the food is ``limburger cheese''.
    (d) Label declaration. Each of the ingredients used in the food 
shall be declared on the label as required by the applicable sections of 
parts 101 and 130 of this chapter, except that:
    (1) Enzymes of animal, plant, or microbial origin may be declared as 
``enzymes''; and
    (2) The dairy ingredients may be declared, in descending order of 
predominance, by the use of the terms ``milkfat and nonfat milk'' or 
``nonfat milk and milkfat'', as appropriate.

[48 FR 2744, Jan. 21, 1983; 48 FR 11426, Mar. 18, 1983, as amended at 58 
FR 2893, Jan. 6, 1993]