Process for the manufacture of composite cheese and product thereof

A process for the production of a food product comprising co-extruding a curd consisting essentially of unripened rennet coagulated drained curd and materials selected from the group of materials consisting of an emulsion f meats, cereals, vegetables and dried fruit at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. into a form of a strand such that the extruded materials form a core of the strand and such that the extruded curd forms a layer about the core, cooling the extruded strand to a temperature below 8.degree. C. to firm the extruded strand and then vacuum wrapping portions of the firmed strand in a film of plastic material which is impermeable to water vapor and oxygen and permeable to carbon dioxide such that the curd ripens in the film.

A composite cheese-making curd product comprising strands consisting essentially of two differing co-extruded unripened drained curds wherein one extruded curd forms a core of the strand and one extruded curd forms a layer about the core.

A composite food product comprising strands of a co-extruded composite of ripened rennet drained cheese curd and a material selected from the group of materials consisting of an emulsion of meats, cereals, vegetables and dried fruit wherein the extruded material forms a core of the strand and the ripened curd forms a layer about the core.