New York regulators are cutting cheese sellers some slack. They'll now be allowed to slice hand-crafted cheese to order at farmer's markets.
The Daily News says the state Agriculture Department has decided to exempt them from a 40-year-old regulation requiring a food processing license to slice cheese. Until now, that could only be obtained if the vendor had a "permanent" building with a three-compartment sink.
Foodies who shop at open-air stands prefer their cheese cut from a wheel of cheddar or gouda, rather than pre-wrapped. Vendors say plastic wrap affects the quality of the cheese.
Cheese sellers will still be required to wear gloves and hats and have a hand-washing facility. They also must keep their knives clean and their cheese in display cases to protect it from pests.
Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com
