Fifty-four samples of various types of Greek cheese and 69 samples of imported cheese were analyzed for nitrates and nitrites. Domestic Gruyére from cow's milk and processed cheese contained 1-10 and 35-104 mg of NO3- per kg, respectively. All other domestic cheeses were either free of or contained nitrates less than 1 mg/kg. Imported cheese contained nitrates as follows: Edam 1-11, Gouda 1-24, Teleme 13-81. Goudasana 27, processed cheese 0-8, cheese spread 19-30. bacon cheese 24-508 and others <4 mg/kg. All types of domestic and imported cheese were either negative for nitrites or contained <1 mg/kg.