The Swiss Colony has still not answered my questions concerning which “enzymes” and “cultures” are used in their cheese, or who manufactures them.
This is as close to a direct answer as they have come, after four attempts for clarification on my part.
“We do not give out our manufacturing information, as these may change depending on availability.
We hope this information is helpful to you.”
Let’s compare this to what is required, by law, for a small licensed dairy in most US states.
They are the most stringent laws for just about any product sold in our country, with hefty fees, regular inspections, strict requirements for what can be produced and how, and to boot, with the name and the address of the farm (which in most cases means the farmer’s home address) to be printed on every label.
Imagine if the CEO of every giant food conglomerate in this country was required to put their home address on everything they sold?
Of course, that could become very confusing, which address would they choose with multiple McMansions to choose from?
Yet if you talk to the average consumer at the grocery store their assumption would most likely be that cheese bought by a local seller at the farmer’s market is of more questionable safety than the big name brands they’ve come to know, and trust.
Completely misplaced trust, created by fraudulent marketing practices and unfair laws in a food system that has been duping the public for half a century plus.
This goes for more upscale choices as well. Here is one from the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills: The Cabot Clothbound Cheddar from Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont.
Looks very traditional in its cloth binding, which is laudable. I also cloth bind cheddars. And I’m not pleased to still be relying on plastic in many cases to make and age other cheeses, but it works and it’s readily available and relatively cheap, so until I can find another way, that’s my lot. But, I’m always looking for better, more traditional options.
On the Cabot Cheddar we have the typical ingredient list: pasteurized cow’s milk, starter culture, vegetable rennet, salt.
Are they required to declare their rennet and cultures are produced in a lab and have nothing to do with any farm? No. Is the consumer privy to who manufactures those ingredients, or where? No.
Though they do make a good show of cutting that big impressive cheese!
While I’m sure it’s healthier and tastier than the likes of The Swiss Colony cheeses, the label is still misinforming the consumer who probably assumes vegetarian rennet comes from vegetables and starter cultures come from other milk products on their farm, as once was the case with all cheeses.
In related Ag news, why is the news never good?
From the Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance:
Act Now: Tell Congress to Stop Catering to Corporations
The US House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Farm Bill this week!
From AI: The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 is a comprehensive farm bill that aims to address agricultural and food policy in the U.S. It was reported out of the House Agriculture Committee on March 5, 2026, and includes provisions for nutrition assistance, crop insurance, and conservation programs, reflecting a significant update since the last farm bill in 2018.
Spoiler alert, not a peep is written about fake cheese or lab-produced cultures and rennet. It’s not even on their radar.
“Overall, the bill continues much of the flawed status quo in our food and agricultural system. There are a few important bright spots – in particular, the inclusion of a pilot program version of the PRIME Act. But unless two key amendments are adopted, the bill as a whole moves us in the wrong direction by putting even more power in the hands of large corporations … and putting your operation, your land, and your local decision-making at risk. There’s also a third important amendment, to empower consumers to support American-raised meat.
The Bottom Line:
This bill, as written, sticks farmers with more risk, less local control, and a system that favors consolidation.
That’s not a compromise—it’s a step backward.”
And from another source:
“Amidst rising farm bankruptcies and unprecedented economic and policy instability, the House bill chooses more of the same, neglecting the kinds of investments and policies that our farmers not only deserve but desperately need,” Mike Lavender, policy director at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, said in a statement.
As House Moves Closer to Farm Bill Vote, Food and Ag Groups Push Back | Civil Eats
Lunatic Farmer Joel Salatin was one of the speakers at the People vs Poison Rally at the US Supreme Court to influence the votes.
The primary talking points are around glyphosate and similar pesticides and herbicides.
He says:
“The real question is what protocols would return the North American landscape to its pre-European productivity and abundance? You see, 500 years ago this landscape produced more food than it does today, even with tractors, fertilizers, chemicals and new plant varieties. Of course, it wasn’t all eaten by people.”
SCOTUS PRESENTATION — The Lunatic Farmer
I like reading his commenters, because there’s always a few I agree with and I so appeciate finding like-minds. This one comes from Diane B. :
“So truthfully and eloquently stated. Sadly, SCOTUS is corrupt and mostly bought along with the rest of the government. We would be far better off if none of them existed. Government has proven it can only be dysfunctional. We don’t need to be governed. We need your speech circulated to the entire population, most will understand, and we need strong men and women who will stand up to corrupt corporations (without a government involved).”
I couldn’t agree more!
And yet, it’s only getting worse.
