American Cheese Society Comments in Response to: Joint FDA/Health Canada Quantitative Assessment of the Risk of Listeriosis from Soft-Ripened Cheese Consumption in the United States and Canada: Draft Report

The American Cheese Society (ACS) is the leading organization supporting and promoting cheese in North America. In this role, ACS represents a broad range of producers, distributors, retailers, and discerning consumers who appreciate the diversity and quality of American-made artisan, farmstead, and specialty cheeses. ACS is thankful for the opportunity to comment on the draft report issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada on their assessment of the risk of listeriosis from soft-ripened cheese consumption. We recognize the difficult task undertaken by these agencies in attempting to quantify risk given the limited information available on the prevalence or sources of cheese contamination.