Karoun Dairies Wins Four Awards at 2026 American Cheese Society Competition
July 15, 2026 | 2 min to read
San Fernando, California – Karoun Dairies, a leading manufacturer of award-winning specialty ethnic cheeses and cultured dairy products, today announced its recognition at the 2026 American Cheese Society (ACS) Judging & Competition, North America’s largest and most prestigious cheese competition.
Karoun Dairies earned four medals for its signature Mediterranean and Hispanic-style specialty products:
1st Place – Panela (Fresh Unripened Queso Fresco)
Category: GC – Fresh, Unripened (Acoreano, Freir, Queijo Blanco, Queso Andino, Queso Blanco, Queso Campesino, Queso Crema, Queso de Puna, Queso Fresco) – all milks
2nd Place – Labne (Strained Cultured Product)
Category: QL – Labneh, Greek Style Yogurt, and Other Strained Cultured Products – all milks
2nd Place – String Cheese Marinated
Category: PC – Cheeses Marinated in Liquids and Ingredients – made from cow’s milk
3rd Place – Cremoso Creamy Honey (Flavored Cultured Product)
Category: KQ – Yogurt and Cultured Products with Flavor Added (Set yogurts, Greek-style, dips, etc.) – cow’s milk
“We are honored to receive these four recognitions from the American Cheese Society,” said Rostom Baghdassarian, CEO of Karoun Dairies. “These awards reflect our unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity and innovation in specialty cheese and cultured dairy production. Our team takes pride in bringing traditional Mediterranean and Hispanic flavors to consumers across North America while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship and food safety.”
The 2026 American Cheese Society Judging & Competition attracted 1,592 entries across 123 categories from producers throughout North America. Only 407 medals were awarded, making each recognition a significant achievement in the competitive specialty cheese market.
ABOUT KAROUN DAIRIES
Founded in 1992, Karoun Dairies is an award-winning manufacturer and distributor of specialty ethnic food and beverage products. The company’s portfolio includes cheeses, yogurts, yogurt drinks, spreads, and dips that appeal to both multicultural consumers and mainstream audiences increasingly embracing ethnic cuisines.
With over 170 best-in-class awards to its name, Karoun operates from two strategic California locations: a distribution center in San Fernando and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Turlock. All Karoun cheeses and yogurts are made with Real California Milk from cows free of growth hormones.
ABOUT LACTALIS USA
Lactalis USA is a leading producer of nutritious and great-tasting dairy products, offering a diverse portfolio of beloved brands including Galbani® Italian cheeses, Président® specialty cheeses, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cultured products, Cracker Barrel® cheese, Black Diamond® cheddar, Parmalat® milk, siggi’s® Icelandic-style yogurt, Stonyfield Organic®, Yoplait®, Karoun®, Gopi® and many others.
With approximately 5,000 U.S. employees and 13 manufacturing facilities across 9 states, Lactalis USA is part of Lactalis Group—the world’s leading dairy company and a French family business founded in 1933.