Causes and control of early gas production in cheddar cheese

Early gas production in cheddar cheese is a sporadic and recurrent problem. In this article the major causal agents of unwanted gas production are discussed and potential gas producing organisms in cheddar cheese are identified. Results of investigations of gas production in commercial plants and control measures are presented. It is concluded that early gas production in cheddar cheese results from a number of interacting factors, including lactose and citrate levels in the curd, the temperature of curd/cheese during pressing and curing, the salt in moisture level and the levels of gas producing, non‐starter lactic acid bacteria in the cheese.