Consumer Q&A

Q Do I need to wait 6 hours after eating Alfredo pasta that contains Parmesan cheese?

A Parmesan cheese that has been aged for six months or longer is considered a “six-hour” cheese. However, according to the psak of the Yad Yehudah, the six-hour waiting period applies only if the cheese is eaten raw. If the cheese is cooked and melted into a dish, such as in your Alfredo pasta, many authorities maintain that a waiting period is not required. Not all Poskim agree with this leniency, so it is advisable to consult your personal Rov for specific guidance.

If Parmesan is added as a garnish after cooking, the six-hour waiting period would still apply.

While real Parmesan cheese is aged for a minimum of ten months, some kosher brands state on the bottle that it is not a “six-hour” cheese because it is not aged and is technically imitation Parmesan.