United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Dairy

Division

USDA Specifications

for Ricotta Cheeses

Effective January 15, 1981
1 January 15, 1981

USDA Specifications for Ricotta Cheeses

I. This document has been developed to aid in the purchase of Ricotta cheeses which are

intended for cooking or table uses. It is designed to provide the minimum requirements

for Ricotta cheeses according to flavor, body and texture, color, finish and appearance,

and packing and packaging. Ricotta cheese may be evaluated as soon as the cheese has

cooled to below 450 F. (70 C.). The following types of Ricotta cheeses are covered by this

specification:

Type (Composition by fat and moisture).

Type I -- Whole Milk Ricotta. The cheese is manufactured from whole milk, and

the finished product shall contain not more than 80.0% moisture and not less than

11.0% milkfat.

Type II -- Part-skim Ricotta. The cheese is manufactured from milk with reduced

milkfat content, and the finished product shall contain not more than 80.0%

moisture and less than 11.0% but not less than 6.0% milkfat.

Type III -- Ricotta (Ricotone) from whey or skim milk. The cheese is

manufactured from skim milk, whey, or a blend of these products and the finished

product shall contain not more than 82.5% moisture and less than 1.0% milkfat.

II. The following documents of the United States Department of Agriculture form a part of

this specification:

A. General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and

Grading Service.

B. Standard Methods for the Examination of Dairy Products, latest edition.

C. Dairy Plants Surveyed and Approved for USDA Grading Service.

D. United States Standards for Condition of Food Containers. (Copies are available

from: Dairy Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.)

III. Requirements.
2 January 15, 1981

Ricotta cheese. All types of Ricotta cheese that meet this specification shall have been

manufactured and/or processed in a plant approved by the Dairy Grading Branch, Dairy 

Division, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture as complying

with the “General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and

Grading Service.” Such plants are eligible to be listed in the document, “Dairy Plants

Surveyed and Approved for USDA Grading Service.”

Ricotta cheeses covered by this specification shall conform to or exceed the following

characteristics:

A. Flavor. Whole milk or part-skim Ricotta has a pleasant, slightly sweet or caramel

flavor. Whey or skim milk Ricotta (Ricotone) has a slightly sweet, bland flavor. 

All three types of Ricotta cheese may possess an acid flavor to a slight degree.

B. Body and Texture. The cheese is soft and creamy and moist, but may contain the

following to a slight degree: grainy and open. The cheese shall be free from gas.

C. Color. Ricotta cheese using whey from uncolored cheese shall have a natural

white to light cream, uniform bright color, and attractive sheen. Ricotta cheese

using whey from colored cheese may be yellow-orange in color.

D. Finish and Appearance. The cheese shall be free from mold under the wrapper

or covering. The wrapper or covering shall be neat, but may be definitely

wrinkled.

E. Packing and Packaging. The packaging shall satisfactorily protect the cheese for

its final use. The cheese shall be packaged in a properly sealed container to

prevent entrance of air or drying of the cheese. The package may be sealed by any

satisfactory type of closure. All packaging shall comply with the applicable

labeling regulations of the Food and Drug Administration.

IV. Explanation of Terms.

A. With respect to flavor.

1. Slight. An attribute which is barely identifiable and present only to a small

degree.

2. Acid. Sharp and puckery to the taste, characteristic of lactic or acetic acid.

3. Caramel. A burnt sugar flavor.

B. With respect to body and texture.
3 January 15, 1981

1. Slight. An attribute which is barely identifiable and present only to a small

degree.

2. Definite. An attribute which is readily identifiable and present to a

substantial degree.

3. Grainy. Feels rough, dry, and sandy.

4. Gas. Gas holes of various sizes and may be scattered.

5. Open. Includes mechanical openings that are irregular in shape and are

caused by variations in make procedure but are not the result of gas

fermentation.

C. With respect to finish and appearance.

1. Definite. An attribute which is readily identifiable and present only to a

substantial degree.

2. Misshapen. Deformed from its characteristic shape.

3. Wrinkled. Rough or uneven.

4. Creamy. Resembling cream.

5. Sheen. Showing a brightness or luster.

V. Supplemental Information.

A. The buyer should specify when the product is to be inspected and a certificate

issued by the Dairy Grading Branch.

B. Ricotta cheese should be kept under refrigerated temperatures of between 350 F.

and 400 F. (20 C. And 40 C.). Do not freeze. This product is ready for immediate

distribution, and should be refrigerated until consumed.

C. A shelf life of one or two weeks can be expected from Ricotta cheese.

D. The buyer should specify when the package is to be evaluated according to the

U.S. Standards for Condition of Food Containers.
4 January 15, 1981

E. The buyer should specify the type of Ricotta and packaging desired.