Control of Ewe and Goat Cheeses Labelling on the Croatian Market

Abstract

The aim of the research was to examine ewe and goat cheese labelling on the market of the Republic of Croatia. During the four years (2012-2016) of the research, 133 cheeses from retail supermarket chains were selected by the random-choice method by the responsible inspection of the Republic of Croatia and analysed at the Reference Laboratory for Milk and Dairy Products of the Department of Dairy Science at the Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb. To check the correct labelling of cheeses, the chemical composition of cheese was examined: the fat content, the dry matter content, the fat in dry matter content, and the water content in the fat-free cheese compound were calculated according to the Ordinance on Cheeses and Cheese Products, which refers to cheeses manufactured in the Republic of Croatia, and Regulation EU (2011) of the European Parliament and the Council on providing information to consumers about food products, which covers foreign cheeses. The presence of cow milk in cheeses labelled as products manufactured exclusively from ewe or goat milk was tested by the reference method using iso-electric focusing to determine any adulteration according to Commission Regulation (2008). The results of analysis in this research show the condition of the quality and correct labelling of ewe and goat cheeses on the market of the Republic of Croatia. Of the 133 cheeses analysed, 67 cheeses (50%) did not correspond to the values stated on the declaration or to legal regulations, while the presence of cow milk was found in 30% of the cheeses analysed. The research results indicate the need to carry out continuous systematic control in the interest of protecting consumers and those manufacturers who are following good manufacturing practices.