Kamil Perry
In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered that several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Castle Cheese Inc., had been adding wood pulp to their 100% Parmesan Cheese products. This sparked a class-action lawsuit and widespread skepticism in the market. While it is unlikely that companies are grinding up wood chips and mixing them with Parmesan cheese, the practice of adding cellulose, a wood-pulp-based anti-clumping agent, to grated cheese products has been called into question. The lawsuit and subsequent debates centre around the labelling of these products as 100% grated Parmesan cheese when they contain other ingredients besides cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are there wood chips in Parmesan cheese? | No, companies are not grinding up wood chips and mixing them with Parmesan cheese. |
| What is the controversy regarding wood chips in Parmesan cheese? | Some companies including Kraft, Walmart, Albertsons, and Castle Cheese, Inc. have been involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese. The products were found to contain wood pulp or cellulose, which is derived from wood pulp. |
| Why is wood pulp added to Parmesan cheese? | Wood pulp is added as a filler to make the product heavier. It is also used as an anti-clumping agent. |
| Is the use of wood pulp in food products common? | Yes, wood pulp is an ingredient in hundreds of products and is commonly used as a filler or anti-clumping agent. |
| Is it legal to add wood pulp to Parmesan cheese? | The use of wood pulp in food products is generally legal and in compliance with federal rules. However, the labeling of the product as "100% Parmesan Cheese" may be considered misleading or false advertising. |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft's 100% Parmesan Cheese found to contain wood chips
Kraft's 100% Parmesan Cheese has been found to contain wood chips, according to a class action lawsuit. The suit was likely prompted by the FDA's discovery that some "Parmesan" cheeses were actually Swiss cheese blends and up to 22% cellulose, a filler derived from wood pulp. Kraft's product was found to contain 1.4% cellulose, which is added to the cheese as a filler to make the product have more weight.
While it is true that Kraft's product does contain cellulose, it is important to note that this is not the same as saying that it contains wood chips. Cellulose is the primary component of a plant cell wall, and it is found in all plant material. It is added to grated Parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent to prevent the cheese from sticking together.
The issue at hand is one of labelling and consumer expectations. The front of the label on Kraft's product prominently says "100% Parmesan Cheese", which may be misleading to consumers who are expecting a product that contains only cheese. However, the inclusion of the word "grated" in the label brings it into compliance with food law, as the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) allows for the inclusion of other ingredients in a product labelled as "grated" cheese.
This incident is not an isolated one, as several other cheese companies have also been involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese products, including Walmart, Jewel-Osco, and SuperValu. It remains to be seen what the full repercussions for these companies will be, but it is likely that the focus will be on changing how these products can be labelled in the future rather than on banning the use of cellulose in grated cheese.
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The FDA's investigation into cellulose usage in the cheese industry
In 2016, the FDA discovered that some "Parmesan" cheeses were not actually 100% Parmesan cheese, but rather Swiss cheese blends with up to 22% cellulose. Acting on this, agents of the FDA paid a surprise visit to a cheese factory in rural Pennsylvania in 2012. This discovery led to lawsuits against Kraft and other cheese companies for false labelling and fraudulent and misleading label claims.
Cellulose is a natural compound found in plant cell walls and is consumed when eating fruits and vegetables. It is also added to food products as a powder to prevent clumping and extend shelf life. In the case of shredded cheese, it is added to prevent the cheese from clumping together in its packaging.
The controversy surrounding the FDA's investigation into cellulose usage in the cheese industry stems from the claim that the cheese products were misbranded and adulterated. The labels did not accurately reflect the ingredients, with some products labelled as "100% Parmesan Cheese" when they were not. According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), if a product is labelled as "100% cheese", it contains only cheese. However, if the word "grated" is added, it has a different definition, allowing for the inclusion of other ingredients like cellulose.
The FDA has been partly blamed for this issue, with critics arguing that changes in the CFR have made the regulations vague and open to interpretation. However, the FDA and dietitians maintain that cellulose is safe to consume and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the agency.
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The difference between food labels: 'chocolate' vs 'chocolatey'
While there are no wood chips in Parmesan cheese, lawsuits have been filed against companies like Kraft Heinz for including wood pulp in their products. This brings to light the importance of food labels and the need for consumers to understand them.
The difference between food labels, especially when it comes to "chocolate" and "chocolatey", is an example of how a slight variation in wording can significantly impact a product's ingredients and quality.
Chocolate labels are crucial as they provide valuable information that helps consumers make informed choices. These labels are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA, which categorizes chocolate products with specific labelling requirements. For instance, the FDA categorizes sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate, each with distinct labelling rules. However, the absence of "dark chocolate" in their categorization creates ambiguity for producers.
When comparing "chocolate" and "chocolatey" labels, it is important to understand the implications:
- Chocolate: This label indicates the presence of real chocolate in the product. It is subject to FDA regulations, which means that producers must adhere to specific standards and requirements for ingredients and labelling. The FDA takes inaccurate labelling seriously and issues warning letters to non-compliant producers.
- Chocolatey: On the other hand, "chocolatey" describes a product that mimics chocolate, often called a compound coating. This label suggests that the product may not contain actual chocolate but rather a substitute that resembles it. "Chocolatey" products may not be subject to the same stringent FDA regulations as those labelled as "chocolate", potentially allowing for different ingredients and production processes.
In conclusion, the difference between "chocolate" and "chocolatey" labels is significant. "Chocolate" indicates the presence of genuine chocolate, while "chocolatey" implies a chocolate-like product that may not meet the same standards or regulations. As consumers, understanding these nuances is essential to making informed choices and ensuring we get what we expect from our purchases.
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The implications of the word 'grated' in food law
In the context of food law, the word "grated" has significant implications for product labelling and consumer understanding. The presence or absence of this word on food packaging can impact the interpretation of ingredient lists and the perceived authenticity of a product.
For instance, in the case of the "100% grated Parmesan cheese" controversy, the word "grated" played a pivotal role. Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, faced legal action due to their products being labelled as "100% grated Parmesan cheese". However, these products contained not only cheese but also cellulose, a filler derived from plant cell walls. The addition of cellulose was deemed misleading to consumers who expected the product to be solely cheese.
The word "grated" in this context allowed for the inclusion of cellulose as an ingredient. According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the bible of the food industry, the term "100% cheese" refers exclusively to cheese and nothing else. However, by adding the word "grated," the product falls under a different definition, permitting the presence of other ingredients like cellulose. This loophole has significant implications for food labelling and consumer trust.
The implications of the word "grated" extend beyond Parmesan cheese. Similar controversies have arisen regarding the use of terms like "chocolatey," which indicates a mimic of chocolate called compound coating, rather than authentic chocolate. These nuances in food labelling can be challenging for consumers to navigate, underscoring the importance of clear and transparent labelling practices.
The use of the word "grated" in food law highlights the delicate balance between industry regulations and consumer expectations. While food manufacturers must adhere to legal definitions and standards, they also need to ensure that their labelling practices are transparent and do not mislead consumers. This dynamic underscores the critical role of regulatory bodies in overseeing labelling practices and protecting consumers from deceptive or misleading claims.
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Kraft's defence: wood pulp is an ingredient in 100s of products
Kraft's defence could be that wood pulp is a common ingredient in hundreds of products. It is an ubiquitous ingredient, and Kraft is not liable for using an ingredient that is standard practice. For example, wood pulp is used in the manufacture of paper and other products, such as shipping containers, heavy-duty paper bags, speciality printing and writing papers, fibre products requiring strength, textiles, and synthetic fibres such as rayon, plastic materials, lacquers, and explosives.
Wood pulp is also used in products like tissues, books, baby wipes, car filters, LCD screens, renewable fuel, stickers, diapers, food labels, and ice cream cones. It is a versatile, renewable, and biodegradable raw material made from trees. In the food industry, wood pulp is used as a filler to add weight to a product.
In the case of Kraft's Parmesan cheese, the product contains around 1.4% wood pulp, which is within the GRAS range. The inclusion of wood pulp in the product is likely to be a matter of routine practice and compliance with federal rules.
While Kraft's defence may be based on the common use of wood pulp in various products, the issue of false labelling and deceptive trade practices may still be relevant. The product was labelled as ""100% Parmesan Cheese,"" which may be considered misleading to consumers who are unaware that grated products can include additional ingredients like cellulose.
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Frequently asked questions
No company is grinding up wood chips and mixing them with parmesan cheese. However, several cheese companies including Kraft, Walmart, Jewel-Osco, owner Albertsons, SuperValu and the manufacturer Icco Cheese have been involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated parmesan cheese because it's not 100% parmesan cheese.
The substitute that grated parmesan suppliers have been using is called "cellulose", an anti-clumping agent derived from wood pulp.
While a court decided it was legal in 2018, the verdict was recently overturned in late 2020. The full repercussions for the cheese companies involved are still pending.
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