The invention relates to a device (1) for the longitudinal cutting of a wide food mass band (4) of a soft food mass in particular a cheese mass moving in a conveying direction (F) on a conveying belt (3) into a number of narrow strips wherein a blade roller is provided which rotates in the conveying direction and which carries a number of cutting discs (2) for longitudinal cutting corresponding to the number of strips to be created wherein the cutting discs (2) are arranged coaxially in relation to the rotational axis (A) and cut into the food band (4) with the edge thereof wherein a comb (5) is provided with a plurality of comb teeth (6) which engage into the intermediate spaces (7) between the cutting discs (2) in an operating position during the longitudinal cutting in order to hold down the cut strips on the conveying belt wherein the comb (5) is held on a comb holder (8) which is held such that it can swivel about the rotational axis (A) wherein the comb holder (8) can be transferred between the operating position and a maintenance position by swivelling about the rotational axis (A).
