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A white paper on the microbial biodiversity of raw-milk cheeses

At a symposium held on October 14, 2024 at the Paris Academy of Medicine, the Cheese Biodiversity Foundation presented a white paper devoted to the effects of cheese consumption, particularly raw milk, on human health. This first synthesis explores the balance of benefits and risks associated with cheese consumption.

Temps de lecture : 3 minutes

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AOP Camembert de Normandie Beurre d'Isigny
AOP Camembert de Normandie Beurre d'Isigny ©O.Russeil

This groundbreaking work, the result of which is a book entitled "Health benefits and risks of cheese consumption - interests of microbial biodiversity", is a synthesis of current scientific knowledge and research on the subject. It is based on over 6,000 studies from French and international scientific and medical literature. A total of 2,500 core publications have been extracted. The production of this white paper was overseen by an intersectoral and interdisciplinary committee of experts, with the support of the Fondation pour la biodiversité fromagère, VetAgro Sup, Institut de l'Élevage (IDELE), CNAOL, Fondation de l'Académie de Médecine (FAM).

Concrete avenues for further research

This work clearly addresses the issues at stake in our food model. It highlights the beneficial but little-known role of the abundant and varied microbial flora found in cheeses, particularly those made from raw milk. The symposium provided an opportunity for researchers, doctors and professionals to discuss food issues. The question of the benefit/risk balance of consuming raw-milk cheeses is a major health issue today, and as a science front, it opens the way to many scientific questions that research could explore. The symposium was attended by almost 500 people.

Académie de médecine

Further information

INAO develops its links with research

Tackling contemporary challenges means intensifying links with applied research and development structures in order to identify available innovations and help practices evolve. INAO already has partnerships with the world of research, such as an agreement between the Institute and INRAe, renewed in 2023 and enabling the establishment of a shared agent. INAO pursues these developments by participating in numerous scientific symposia.

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