Frequently Asked Questions
Answers
Q. I see the term "allergens" frequently in the news. What exactly are allergens?
A. An allergen is a product or ingredient containing certain proteins that can potentially cause severe reactions in a food allergic person. The "Big 8" food allergens (FDA) are; milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat.
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Q. Do Sartori Foods' products contain allergens?
A. All of our cheese is made from milk and some products may contain other allergens. Each allergen is clearly listed following the word "contains" in bold print under the ingredient statement on the product label.
Example:
Ingredients: made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes.
CONTAINS: Milk
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Q. Are Sartori Foods' products made with rBST/rBGH-free milk?
A. As of July, 2007, all Sartori Reserve cheese is made from rBST free milk.
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Q. Does Sartori Foods' offer Kosher products?
A. None of our retail products are kosher at this time.
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Q. Is Sartori Foods' cheese made using pasteurized milk?
A. All cheese milk is pasteurized in accordance with state and federal regulations.
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Q. Can Sartori Foods' cheese products be frozen?
A. Yes, though not recommended. Freezing and thawing may change the body characteristics of the cheese, resulting in clumping or moisture expulsion.
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Q. What is the shelf life of your cheese?
A. The shelf life of cheese will vary according to the type (moisture content, acidity, etc.) and the kind of packaging material used. All Sartori Foods cheeses should be stored at 35 - 40 degrees in the original package or container. For best results after opening, re-wrap in plastic wrap to keep the cheese from drying out and return to your refrigerator.
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Q. Are there trans fats in Sartori Reserve cheese?
A. A small amount of trans fat occurs naturally in foods such as beef, veal, lamb, and foods containing milk fat, such as butter, whole milk, cream, cheese and ice cream. Foods with less than one-half percent of trans fats per serving will not have trans fats labeled, since that amount is considered negligible.
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Q. What is the source of your rennet?
A. The Parmesan and BellaVitano cheese items are made with microbial (non-animal) rennet. At this time, our other cheese items may contain enzymes that are animal based.
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Q. Can I eat the rind?
A. It's a matter of personal choice. On our new BellaVitano wheels, the rind is an integral part of the cheese.
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Q. What are the white spots on the BellaVitano wheels?
A. These are calcium lactate crystals and are perfectly safe to eat.
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