Randy Chandler
Hot Pockets are an American brand of microwaveable turnovers, generally containing one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. They are marketed as a quick and hearty snack, but are they really made with real cheese? While some Hot Pocket products, such as the Four Cheese Pizza and Steak & Cheddar varieties, are advertised as being made with 100% real cheese, not all Hot Pocket products make this promise. For instance, the Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar Hot Pocket contains imitation cheddar cheese. Additionally, Hot Pockets have been criticized by some consumers for their high sugar content, with each Hot Pocket containing between two and eight grams of sugar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese used | Real cheese is not a brand-wide promise. |
| Types of Hot Pockets with real cheese | Four Cheese Pizza, Steak & Cheddar, Ham and Cheese, and Pepperoni Pizza |
| Types of Hot Pockets with imitation cheese | Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar |
| Sugar content | 2-8 grams of sugar per Hot Pocket |
| Calories | 280-350 calories per Hot Pocket |
| Other ingredients | Meat, vegetables, dough, sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Hot Pockets' Four Cheese Pizza is made with 100% real cheese
Hot Pockets are an American brand of microwaveable turnovers, generally containing one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. While Hot Pockets are not necessarily known for being a healthy snack option, some consumers have expressed disappointment over the amount of sugar in the product.
However, for those who are specifically interested in the cheese content of their Hot Pockets, the Four Cheese Pizza variety is made with 100% real cheese. This variety features a combination of melty parmesan, cheddar, reduced-fat provolone, and mozzarella cheese. Each sandwich in the Four Cheese Pizza variety contains 10g of protein and is advertised as a good source of protein.
It is worth noting that not all Hot Pockets varieties feature real cheese. For example, the Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar Hot Pockets contain "imitation cheddar cheese" in addition to real cheddar cheese. Therefore, consumers who prefer to avoid imitation cheeses should pay close attention to the ingredients listed for each Hot Pocket variety.
In addition to the Four Cheese Pizza variety, the Steak & Cheddar Hot Pockets are also advertised as being made with 100% real cheese. This variety features Angus cooked beef steak and reduced-fat cheddar cheese. Each sandwich in the Steak & Cheddar variety contains 12g of protein and is also marketed as a good source of protein.
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Some Hot Pocket products use imitation cheese
Hot Pockets are an American brand of microwaveable turnovers generally containing one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. While some Hot Pocket products are made with real cheese, others are not.
For instance, the Four Cheese Pizza variety is made with 100% real cheese, including parmesan, cheddar, reduced-fat provolone, and mozzarella. Similarly, the Steak & Cheddar Hot Pockets are also made with 100% real cheese.
However, not all Hot Pocket products follow suit. The Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar Hot Pockets, for example, contain imitation cheddar cheese. This is listed as an ingredient immediately after real cheddar cheese on the ingredient list. Imitation cheeses function similarly to textured vegetable proteins, allowing companies to "extend" a natural product with an imitation that looks and tastes similar.
The presence of imitation cheese in some Hot Pocket products may come as a surprise to consumers, especially those who are expecting a 100% cheese product. It is important to scrutinize the ingredient lists of different Hot Pocket varieties to make an informed purchase decision, especially if one wishes to avoid imitation cheeses.
In addition to the variable presence of real cheese, Hot Pockets have also been criticized for their variable filling-to-dough ratio. Some consumers have expressed disappointment over the years, claiming that the filling has reduced, resulting in a bland and doughy product.
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Hot Pockets contain sugar
Hot Pockets are an American brand of microwaveable turnovers generally containing one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. They are the product of Chef America Inc., which was acquired by Nestlé in 2002. While Hot Pockets are not exactly marketed as a health food, you might be surprised to learn that they contain sugar. In fact, pretty much every Hot Pocket contains between two and eight grams of sugar. This means that even the savoury flavours of fat and salt have a touch of sweetness hiding behind them. For example, the popular Pepperoni Pizza Hot Pocket contains 14 grams of fat and 630 milligrams of sodium, which is enough to mask its 3 grams of sugar.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people sticking to a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet should try to consume fewer than 48 grams of sugar per day. If one BBQ Recipe White Meat Chicken Lean Pocket contains 8 grams of added sugars, you'll need to be careful about how much additional sugar you consume in your other meals and snacks throughout the day. Sugars are often included in processed foods like Hot Pockets because they add texture, flavour, and help the bread to rise. Given that the Hot Pockets brand prides itself on its crispy crusts and breads, it makes sense that a little sugar would be used in each product.
In addition to sugar, Hot Pockets also contain other unpronounceable ingredients. For example, pretty much every Hot Pocket product uses some type of food colouring, especially caramel colouring for beef or meatball products, and annatto or turmeric to enhance the yellows of cheese and eggs. In 2014, Nestlé USA recalled 238,000 cases of its Hot Pockets because they may have contained meat from a massive recall of about 8.7 million pounds of meat from "diseased and unsound" animals. More recently, in January 2021, some batches of Hot Pockets were found to contain pieces of glass or hard plastic, posing a choking and laceration risk.
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Hot Pockets were recalled in 2021 due to health risks
Hot Pockets are an American brand of microwaveable turnovers, generally containing one or more types of cheese, meat, or vegetables. While Hot Pockets are marketed as a quick and convenient snack option, their nutritional value has been questioned, and in 2021, the product was recalled due to health risks.
In January 2021, certain batches of Hot Pockets were recalled due to the presence of glass and hard plastic. The recall affected Hot Pockets produced during November 13–16, 2020, and included the Premium Pepperoni Made With Pork and Chicken & Beef Pizza with a Garlic Buttery Crust varieties. Over 750,000 pounds of the contaminated product were shipped to stores nationwide, posing a serious health risk to consumers.
The issue was first brought to light by consumer complaints of "extraneous materials" inside the Hot Pockets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service received four such complaints, one of which included a report of a minor oral injury. As a result, the USDA issued a Class I recall, the highest level, as the consumption of plastic or glass pieces could lead to choking or lacerations and potentially cause serious health consequences or even death.
Nestlé, the company that produces Hot Pockets, issued a statement expressing their commitment to the quality, safety, and integrity of their products and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the recall. They advised consumers who had purchased the affected products to contact Nestlé Consumer Services for a refund. The recalled Hot Pockets were packaged in 12-count cartons and had a best before date of February 2022, with specific lot codes and establishment numbers printed on the packaging.
It is important to note that while Hot Pockets may be a convenient snack option, consumers should be aware of their nutritional content and potential health risks. The presence of glass and hard plastic in the 2021 recall underscores the importance of prioritizing food safety and taking immediate action when issues are identified.
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Hot Pockets are viewed as an after-school staple
Hot Pockets were first introduced in 1983, marketed towards restaurants, and soon became a popular snack option. The brand offers a range of flavours, including the ever-popular Pepperoni Pizza, Steak & Cheddar, and Four Cheese Pizza. While some Hot Pocket products are indeed made with real cheese, this is not a brand-wide promise. For instance, the Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar Hot Pocket contains both real cheddar cheese and imitation cheddar cheese.
The brand has faced some challenges, including a meat recall in 2021 and instances of glass or hard plastic found in some batches of Hot Pockets, resulting in a Class I recall by the USDA. Despite these setbacks, Hot Pockets remain a go-to snack for many, especially for those seeking a quick and convenient option.
Hot Pockets and their healthier version, Lean Pockets, are known for their crispy crusts and breads, achieved through a specially designed packaging sleeve and dough formula. However, it's important to note that these snacks contain added sugars, with each Hot Pocket containing between two and eight grams of sugar. While sugars occur naturally in some ingredients, added sugars can affect those on restricted diets.
Despite some mixed reviews and changes in the product over the years, Hot Pockets continue to hold a place in the market as a convenient and tasty snack option, especially for those seeking a quick bite after school.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of Hot Pocket. While some Hot Pockets are made with real cheese, others contain imitation cheese. For example, the Four Cheese Pizza Hot Pocket is made with 100% real cheese, while the Chicken Broccoli & Cheddar Hot Pocket contains imitation cheddar cheese.
To determine whether your Hot Pocket contains real or imitation cheese, carefully read the ingredient list on the packaging. If the ingredient list includes the word "imitation," the product contains imitation cheese.
Imitation cheeses allow companies to reduce costs while maintaining the appearance and taste of the real thing.
Yes, Hot Pockets contain between two and eight grams of sugar, which is surprising given that they are savoury products.
