Ricotta cheese is a very interesting Italian dairy product, characterised by increasing consumption and very short shelf-life. Several samples of manufactured Ricotta cheese, packed in two different sizes (250 g and 10 kg), were analysed during the commercial shelf-life at three different storage temperatures (3 degrees, 10 degrees and 20 degrees C). Tests were also carried out by storing samples under a fluctuating temperature regime. Storage at 3 degrees C gave the best results. At this temperature Ricotta cheese maintained acceptable chemical-physical and microbiological characteristics for 27 days. Under fluctuating temperature regime, storage of the product at 8 degrees C for 3 days resulted in considerable sensory degradation, sufficient to dissuade from consumption.