British Cheese Board celebrates landmark anniversary

The British Cheese Board is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year – marking a decade of educating parents and children about cheese – its nutritional benefits, versatility and incredible variety.

Since the BCB was established in 1995, consumption of cheese in the UK has increased by 12.5%, which equates to approximately 60,000 tonnes more cheese being eaten in Britain every year.[1] Today, the average person consumes 9 kilograms of cheese a year which is about half of that found in mainland Europe.

The number of named British cheeses has also been on the increase. There are now more than 700 different types of British cheese, including almost one hundred goats' milk cheeses, over 80 sheep milk cheeses and 53 different blues.

BCB secretary Nigel White said: "The BCB has worked hard over the past ten years to increase awareness of the nutritional benefits of cheese, its versatility and the range now available. There is still much to be done and some huge opportunities for the industry to encourage consumers to use cheese at different times of the day - and for different meal occasions."

Bread and crackers are still the most popular accompaniments to cheese while Cheddar dominates the market, accounting for over fifty per cent of sales