Randy Chandler
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese slices manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 and are commercially sold as individually wrapped slices. Kraft Singles are made from a blend of natural cheeses, emulsifying salts, and other additives. Due to their range of ingredients and production methods, Kraft Singles contain a higher lactose content than most pressed and aged cheeses. Lactose-intolerant consumers should be cautious of their Kraft Singles consumption due to its elevated lactose content.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lactose-free | No |
| Ingredients | Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes), skim milk, milkfat, milk, milk protein concentrate, whey, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, salt, lactic acid, oleoresin paprika (color), natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor), enzymes, cheese culture, annatto (color) |
| Contains | Milk |
| Type of Cheese | Processed cheese product |
| Nutritional Aspects | Moderate fat content, moderate cholesterol, lower protein content compared to natural cheese |
| Suitability for Lactose Intolerant People | Not suitable due to slightly elevated lactose content |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Singles' ingredients and lactose content
Kraft Singles are a processed cheese product that was introduced in 1950 and is commercially sold as individually wrapped slices. They are manufactured using a blend of natural cheeses, emulsifying salts, and other additives. The product gets its name from its single slices, which are individually wrapped in clear plastic.
Kraft Singles do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labeling as the percentage of milkfat in the product that comes from added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%. The product's label was changed to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product" after the FDA warned that Kraft could not use the previous label due to a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk in the recipe with milk protein concentrate.
Kraft Singles contain a range of ingredients, including:
- Cultured milk
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Skim milk
- Milkfat
- Milk protein concentrate
- Whey
- Calcium phosphate
- Sodium phosphate
- Modified food starch
- Lactic acid
- Oleoresin paprika (color)
- Natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
- Cheese culture
- Annatto (color)
Due to their ingredients and production methods, Kraft Singles have a higher lactose content than most pressed and aged cheeses. While most cheeses tend to have minimal lactose content, Kraft Singles may not be suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance due to their slightly elevated lactose levels. Therefore, lactose-intolerant consumers should be cautious about how much of this processed product they consume.
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Kraft Singles' production methods
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 as Kraft De Luxe Process Slices, though they were not individually wrapped at the time. The current Kraft Singles, introduced in 1965, are formed separately in manufacturing and then individually wrapped.
The idea for Kraft Singles came about in 1916 when James L. Kraft, the Canadian-born founder of Kraft Foods, received a patent for "process cheese". This was a sterilized product made by heating and whisking cheddar at 175 degrees for 15 minutes, transforming it into a shippable commodity with a longer shelf life. James' brother Norman, who became Kraft's head of research, wanted to make the product even more convenient for consumers by pre-cutting the cheese into slices. However, this proved challenging as the cheese was packaged and sealed while still fluid and hot.
Norman's nephew, an engineer, modified the refrigeration method by using a chill roll, allowing the machinery to continuously produce cheese slices. In 1947, Kraft tested these cheese slices in Detroit, but sales were initially low as customers did not realize the cheese was individually sliced. In 1950, Kraft introduced Kraft De Luxe, the first commercially packaged cheese slices, and sales rose by nearly 150%. However, the stacked cheese slices often stuck together, leading to the development of individually wrapped slices, which were introduced in 1965.
The process of making Kraft Singles involves melting down unusable pieces of cheese and blending them with various ingredients. While real cheese is made primarily from milk, rennet, and salt, Kraft Singles contain additional ingredients like whey, water, protein concentrate, milkfat, gelatin, and various preservatives and additives for color and flavor. Due to the high proportion of added dairy ingredients, Kraft Singles do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labeling and are instead marketed as a Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product.
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Kraft Singles' labelling
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 and are commercially sold as individually wrapped slices. Kraft Singles do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labelling as the percentage of milkfat in the product that comes from the added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%.
The product used to be labelled as "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food", which allowed for a greater percentage of added dairy. However, in December 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that they could no longer use this label due to a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk in the recipe with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. As a result, Kraft changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product".
Kraft Singles contain a range of ingredients, including skim milk, milkfat, milk, milk protein concentrate, whey, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, lactic acid, enzymes, cheese culture, and annatto (colour). Due to these ingredients, Kraft Singles have a higher lactose content than most pressed and aged cheeses. Therefore, lactose-intolerant individuals should be cautious about consuming Kraft Singles and may need to look for lactose-free cheese alternatives.
While Kraft Singles are not lactose-free, they offer a convenient and versatile cheese product that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation. It is important to note that the product has a moderate fat content and lower protein content compared to natural cheese.
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Kraft Singles' suitability for lactose-intolerant people
Kraft Singles are a processed cheese product that was introduced in 1950 and is manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They are commercially sold as single slices, individually wrapped in clear plastic. Kraft Singles are not slices off a block but are formed separately during manufacturing.
Kraft Singles are not suitable for lactose-intolerant people due to their slightly elevated lactose content. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and bloating. While most cheeses tend to have minimal lactose content, Kraft Singles contain a higher amount of lactose than most pressed and aged cheeses due to their ingredients and production methods. The ingredients in Kraft Singles include milk, skim milk, milkfat, milk protein concentrate, whey, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, salt, lactic acid, enzymes, cheese culture, and annatto (color). Therefore, lactose-intolerant individuals should be cautious about consuming Kraft Singles and other dairy products with high lactose content.
However, it is important to note that not all Kraft cheeses contain lactose. In fact, most Kraft shredded and sliced cheeses have "0g lactose per serving" listed on the packaging. This means that lactose-intolerant individuals can still enjoy Kraft cheese products as long as they choose the right variety.
Additionally, there are alternatives to Kraft cheese for lactose-intolerant people. For example, most hard cheeses with a long ripening time, such as cheddar, are naturally lactose-free. Lactase pills, which contain an enzyme that counteracts lactose, can also be taken to help digest lactose.
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Lactose-free alternatives to Kraft Singles
Kraft Singles are not lactose-free and therefore not suitable for those with lactose intolerance. However, there are several alternatives available in the market that can be enjoyed by those who are lactose intolerant.
Lactose-free American Singles by Borden® Cheese
Borden® Cheese offers lactose-free American Singles, which are a great option for those who want to enjoy grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, and other comfort foods without the discomfort of lactose intolerance.
Other Kraft Cheese Varieties
While Kraft Singles contain lactose, most other Kraft shredded and sliced cheese varieties have "0g lactose per serving." These lactose-free options from Kraft allow those with lactose intolerance to enjoy their favorite cheesy meals without experiencing symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
Hard Cheeses
Most hard cheeses with a long ripening time, such as cheddar, Jarlsberg, and Tillamook, are naturally lactose-free. So, if you're looking for a lactose-free alternative to Kraft Singles, consider exploring the wide range of hard cheeses available in the market.
Lactase Pills
If you're specifically looking for a solution to enjoy cheese without the lactose discomfort, consider taking lactase pills. These contain an enzyme that helps break down lactose, allowing you to potentially consume Kraft Singles without experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms.
Remember, it is always important to read the ingredient labels and nutritional information to make informed choices, especially if you have specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Kraft Singles contain a higher lactose content than most pressed and aged cheeses. Therefore, they may not be a suitable option for individuals with lactose intolerance.
The elevated lactose content is due to their range of ingredients and production methods. Kraft Singles are a processed cheese product, individually wrapped and formed separately in manufacturing.
Yes, most other Kraft shredded and sliced cheeses have "0g lactose per serving". Additionally, most hard cheeses, like cheddar, are naturally lactose-free.
