Muenster Cheese

Yes. Cheeses like muenster can be firm and get globby and hard to manage in the mouth, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve gorgonzola in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of the child during meals. 

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Yes. Muenster is typically made from cow’s milk, which is a common food allergen in young children, accounting for about one-fifth of all childhood food allergies. Keep in mind that dairy products from other ruminants such as sheep, goat, and buffalo may provoke similar allergic reactions to cow’s milk dairy products. That said, there’s good news: milk allergy often disappears with time. Research shows that the majority of children with cow's milk allergy will outgrow it by age 6 and many babies with milder symptoms of milk protein allergy (which can show up as painless blood in stool) are able to successfully reintroduce cow's milk as early as their first birthday, with guidance from their pediatric health professionals. Annatto is also present in muenster cheese; while it is not a common allergen, allergies to annatto have been reported.

Milk and other dairy products are a common trigger of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, also known as FPIES. FPIES is a delayed allergy to food protein which causes the sudden onset of repetitive vomiting and diarrhea to begin a few hours after ingestion. Left untreated, the reaction can result in significant dehydration. When milk is in the diet regularly, FPIES can present as reflux, weight loss, and failure to thrive. Symptoms generally improve with elimination of milk from the baby’s diet. Thankfully, like other forms of milk allergy, FPIES which presents early in life is generally outgrown by the child has reached 3-5 years of age. While the exact rates of FPIES are unknown, it is believed to be an uncommon condition (although better recognition of the disease has led to increased reporting in recent years).

For those with older children who are lactose intolerant (keep in mind this is uncommon for infants), more good news: muenster may be better tolerated by those with lactose intolerance, as because it is aged, it has lower lactose content than milk and certain other dairy products.

If you suspect your baby may be allergic to dairy products, consult an allergist before introducing cheese. Based on your baby’s risk factors and history, your allergist may recommend allergy testing, or may instead advise dairy introduction under medical supervision in the office. If the risk is low, you may be advised to go ahead and introduce cheese in the home setting. As with all common allergens, start by serving a small amount for the first few servings, and if there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Yes. Pasteurized muenster cheese is a good source of protein and fats for cell growth and structure, calcium to build strong bones, and vitamin B12 to support healthy blood and a robust nervous system. It’s also a good source of vitamin A and zinc. Some muenster cheeses are a bit high in sodium, so opt for ones that are lower in sodium, if available.

By around 12 months of age, most toddlers should be able to manage a grilled cheese sandwich, as long as the melted cheese is in a thin layer and the sandwich is cut into smaller squares or strips to make it easier for the child to manage.