Employees of The Kroger Co. and its cheese subsidiary, Murray’s Cheese, have been certified by a leading cheese industry group.

Cincinnati-based retail giant Kroger and New York-based Murray’s announced that 19 of its employees have been named Certified Cheese Professionals by the American Cheese Society. Almost 900 people in the United States, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Europe have received the designation.

The certification test covers topics including raw ingredients, the cheesemaking process, storing and handling cheese, selecting distributors, marketing, nutrition, regulations and sanitation.

“I’m so proud of our CCPs for working tirelessly to earn this recognition,” says Elizabeth Chubbuck, Murray’s Cheese’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “The ACS has established a fantastic program that allows our most dedicated and knowledgeable cheese professionals to stand alongside their peers, and together we are proud to call some of the best in the business part of the Kroger and Murray’s family.”

Kroger and Murray’s established a partnership in 2008, and Kroger’s bought Murray’s earlier this year. More than 350 Kroger’s stores have Murray’s Cheese shops in them.