Why can't we get morbier cheese anymore?

[CC]

No one carries it, and when we ask cheese shops why, they tell us stories about tarifs and import duties and various other nefarious things, none of which sounds convincing. Seems very strange. Anyone else having that problem? What’'s the straight dope?

[Joey_P]

A quick search of “morbier” (because I’d never heard of it) and google auto filled it to 'morbier ban" and this was one of the first hits.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ucm413309.htm

[running_coach]

Commence Cheese Shop Sketch quotes in 3…2…1

[Ukulele_Ike]

I love Morbier and used to eat it all the time. You’re right, though, I haven’t seen it available in a while. I can think of only two reasons: A) all the smoking restrictions that have been enacted in the US over the past 10-15 years have led us to eschew cheese with ashes in it; B) the magic of the marketplace! Maybe there’s no call for it these days, people are buying other cheeses in a fast-expanding market, and the cheese shops don’t stock it.

I haven’t missed it, really. There are lots of mild semi-soft French cow’s-milk cheeses available. Comte is a good substitute and I see it everywhere.

[Ukulele_Ike]

@Joey_P

A quick search of “morbier” (because I’d never heard of it) and google auto filled it to 'morbier ban" and this was one of the first hits.
http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/ucm413309.htm

Thanks for the link! I just had some Tomme de Savoie last week, so it’s back. Nice cheese, at LEAST as good as Morbier.

[kaylasdad99]

How do you even measure morbiness in cheese? I mean you have to have some baseline for comparison before you go deciding that your cheese isn’t already morby enough.

You should at least know what “morby” means. Which I don’t. A little help, please?

[Digital_is_the_new_Analog]

I’m a little confused. Amazon.com provides a handful of links to buy morbier cheese. Is that somehow different?

[Athena]

I haven’t noticed it not being available, though I haven’t specifically looked for it lately. I have to run to the local co-op today, which carries a nice selection of cheese. I’ll see if I can find any.

If there is a ban on the actual French stuff, Carr Valley makes a nice morbier-esque cheese. Maybe that’s easier to find?

[Ukulele_Ike]

@kaylasdad99

You should at least know what “morby” means. Which I don’t. A little help, please?

Well, like Satchmo said to the little old lady from Pasadena, “If you don’t know by now, lady, don’t mess with it.”

[CC]

@Digital_is_the_new_Analog

I’m a little confused. Amazon.com provides a handful of links to buy morbier cheese. Is that somehow different?

Yep - that’s curious, all right, in light of the FDA ban as cited by** Joey P.** I can report that no place in the area, and I’m in Chicago - hardly a backwater of cuisine - and no one carries it any more.

[Digital_is_the_new_Analog]

@CC

Yep - that’s curious, all right, in light of the FDA ban as cited by** Joey P.** I can report that no place in the area, and I’m in Chicago - hardly a backwater of cuisine - and no one carries it any more.

I admit that I don’t know the intricacies of cheeses, nor of FDA language. However,I don’t read Joey P’s link as quite saying there is a current ban. It’s from 2014, and include this paragraph:

The FDA has been working with the American Cheese Society (ACS) to learn more about artisanal cheeses and measures that cheesemakers take to ensure their products are safe. After hearing ACS’ concerns about the test results, the FDA adjusted its criteria for taking regulatory action based on them. As a result, 95 percent of the cheese sampled tested below the level at which FDA would take regulatory action, and six of the nine cheese producers placed on Import Alert 12-10 for exceeding bacterial counts have been removed from that list and can resume sales and distribution in the U.S.

One of the links that the FDA notice include does list two morbier cheeses that subject to “Detention Without Physical Examination of Cheese Due to Microbiological Contamination”. Are those two sources the only sources of morbier?
Here are some reviews from this year from a place that claims to have it for sale. Here’s one from February 11, 2016:

We were told that Morbier had been banned by the FDA and so were surprised to see it for sale…absolutely fresh and delicious. Ban must be lifted–thank goodness. Silly thing anyways. Arrived in the fresh-pack, which will be useful in the future. Fast service, professional and well packed.

Another review notes:

I am from France and morbier is one of my favorite cheese, but I can t find it in Austin where I live, and I can tell you this one is pretty good, not as good as some in France but it is à good compromise

So perhaps it’s a slightly different process, or made with local products instead of being important from overseas. I can see how that would make a difference.