Gas-flushed packaging contributes to calcium lactate crystals in Cheddar cheese

Gas-flushed packaging is commonly used for cheese shreds and cubes to prevent aggregation and loss of individual identity. Appearance of a white haze on cubed cheese is unappealing to consumers, who may refrain from buying, resulting in lost revenue to manufacturers. The objective of this study was to determine whether gas flushing of Cheddar cheese contributes to the occurrence of calcium lactate crystals (CLC). Cheddar cheese was manufactured using standard methods, with addition of starter culture, annatto, and chymosin. Two different cheese milk compositions were used: standard (lactose:protein = 1.47, protein:fat = 0.90, lactose = 4.8%) and ultrafiltered (UF; lactose:protein = 1.23, protein:fat = 0.84, lactose = 4.8%), with or without adjunct Lactobacillus curvatus. Curds were milled when whey reached 0.45% titratable acidity, and pressed for 16 h. After aging at 7.2°C for 6 mo, cheeses were cubed (1 × 1 × 4 cm) and either vacuum-packaged or gas-flushed with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or a 50:50 mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, then aged for an additional 3 mo. Heavy crystals were observed on surfaces of all cubed cheeses that were gas-flushed, but not on cheeses that were vacuum-packaged. Cheeses without Lb. curvatus exhibited l(+)-CLC on surfaces, whereas cheeses with Lb. curvatus exhibited racemic mixtures of l(+)/d(−)-CLC throughout the cheese matrices. The results show that gas flushing (regardless of gas composition), milk composition, and presence of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria, can contribute to the development of CLC on cheese surfaces. These findings stress the importance of packaging to cheese quality.