Randy Chandler
Several viral videos and news headlines have claimed that companies put sawdust in their cheese products. While this is not entirely true, it has been found that certain brands of Parmesan cheese contain up to 8.8% cellulose, which is derived from wood pulp, even if they are advertised as 100% cheese. Cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive that is commonly used as an anti-caking agent to prevent shredded cheese from clumping. While it is not harmful, some people may prefer to avoid additives due to concerns about processed foods or potential sensitivities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Additive in cheese | Cellulose, a type of plant fiber |
| Common names | Wood chips, sawdust, wood pulp |
| Sources | Cotton lint, wood pulp (sawdust), plants |
| Purpose | Anti-caking agent, prevents mold and yeast growth |
| Safety | FDA-approved, safe to consume, not absorbed by the body |
| Lawsuits | Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, Icco Cheese |
| Consumer concerns | Deception, taste, health |
| Alternatives | Grating your own cheese, cornstarch |
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What You'll Learn
- Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons and other cheese companies have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese
- The FDA investigation found that certain brands of Parmesan contain up to 8.8% cellulose
- Anticaking agents are added to pre-grated cheese to keep shreds from sticking together
- Cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive since 1973 and is a component of plant foods
- Videos are going viral on TikTok with creators recommending washing pre-shredded cheese to remove additives
Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons and other cheese companies have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese
Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, Supervalu, and the manufacturer Icco Cheese, have faced lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese products. The issue revolves around the use of cellulose, a food additive and anti-clumping agent derived from wood chips or sawdust, which was found to comprise up to 8.8% of the product. While cellulose is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and is commonly used to prevent caking in shredded cheese, consumers and legal professionals argue that labeling the products as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" is deceptive and misleading.
The controversy surrounding the use of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese erupted in 2016 when Bloomberg News reported on an FDA investigation of Castle Cheese. Independent laboratory tests revealed that Kraft Heinz's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" contained 3.8% cellulose. This sparked a wave of lawsuits against Kraft Heinz and other cheese companies, alleging violations of consumer protection laws and deceptive business practices.
The lawsuits against Kraft Heinz and other cheese companies gained momentum, with similar legal actions being filed in multiple states, including New York, Missouri, and California. However, the companies have defended themselves, arguing that the front label's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" statement only indicates that the cheese in the container is entirely Parmesan. They emphasize that the presence of cellulose as an ingredient is properly disclosed in the ingredient lists.
In 2018, a federal court judge dismissed the initial lawsuits, agreeing with the defendants' argument and stating that consumers could simply refer to the ingredient statement to see that cellulose is included. Despite this setback, consumers and legal professionals persisted, and a federal district court later revived the lawsuit, acknowledging the potentially misleading nature of the front labels. The ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between consumer expectations, labeling regulations, and the use of additives in the food industry.
While the full repercussions for the cheese companies involved remain uncertain, the lawsuits have drawn attention to the issue of accurate labeling and transparency in the food industry. It is doubtful that this legal battle will result in the discontinuation of cellulose use in grated cheese but may lead to modifications in how these products are labeled in the future to better inform consumers and meet regulatory requirements.
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The FDA investigation found that certain brands of Parmesan contain up to 8.8% cellulose
Several news outlets reported that an FDA investigation found that certain brands of Parmesan cheese contain up to 8.8% cellulose, despite being advertised as 100% cheese. Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, Supervalu, and Icco Cheese were among the companies involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in 2018, who stated that consumers could simply check the ingredient list, as cellulose is listed on almost every grated or shredded Parmesan cheese product.
Cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive that has been used since 1973. It is a type of fiber that is found in plant foods and is not digested by the human body. While it is often derived from wood pulp or sawdust, cellulose is also present in all fruits, vegetables, and plants. Cheese technologist Dean Sommer confirmed that wood cellulose is not used by Parmesan cheese makers but by converters that buy bulk Parmesan, grind it, partially dry it, and package it.
The addition of cellulose to grated Parmesan cheese serves as an anti-caking and anti-clumping agent, preventing the shreds from sticking together. While some people may prefer to avoid additives due to concerns about processed foods or potential sensitivities, the practice of adding cellulose to cheese is generally safe and helps extend the product's shelf life.
The controversy surrounding the FDA investigation and the subsequent lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate labelling and transparency in the food industry. While cellulose is a safe additive, consumers have a right to know the exact composition of the products they are purchasing. This incident also underscores the value of grinding and grating cheese at home to ensure the absence of any unwanted additives or preservatives.
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Anticaking agents are added to pre-grated cheese to keep shreds from sticking together
Several cheese companies have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese. This is because, despite the packaging, it is not 100% cheese. It contains a food additive called cellulose, which is often derived from sawdust. Cellulose is the main component of a plant's cell wall and gives cells strength and rigidity. It is present in every fruit, vegetable, and plant we eat.
Cellulose is added to pre-grated cheese as an anticaking agent to keep shreds from sticking together. It is also added to increase the product's shelf life. However, this does not mean that logs are being chopped up and thrown into the cheese. In fact, cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive and is generally considered a health boon. It is a fiber that our bodies cannot break down, so it passes right through us.
Some people choose to wash pre-grated cheese to remove additives, preservatives, or other unwanted substances. However, experts agree that there is no need to be concerned about the product's safety. Instead, the primary concern with pre-grated cheese is that it may not melt as nicely as freshly grated cheese and that there is a difference in taste.
If you are concerned about the presence of cellulose in your cheese, you can always grate your own cheese or look for cheese that uses cornstarch as an anticaking agent instead.
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Cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive since 1973 and is a component of plant foods
It is true that some companies add cellulose to their cheese products. Cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive since 1973 and is a component of plant foods. It is an indigestible fibre, so our bodies do not absorb it, and it is passed out of the body without being broken down. This makes it a common additive in packaged foods like cereals and granola bars, which use it to increase their fibre content.
Cellulose is an anti-caking agent, added to grated cheese to keep the shreds from sticking together. It is derived from plant cell walls, and while it is often sourced from wood pulp (sawdust), it can also come from cotton lint. It is important to note that cellulose is not the same as adding chunks of wood to cheese.
The inclusion of cellulose in cheese has been a topic of controversy, with some companies facing lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese, which was found to contain cellulose. However, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that consumers could simply check the ingredient list, as cellulose is listed on nearly every ingredient list for grated or shredded Parmesan cheese.
While the safety of cellulose is not in question, some people may prefer to avoid it due to concerns about processed foods or potential sensitivities. As a result, some people choose to grate their own cheese or purchase cheese from companies that do not use cellulose as an additive.
Overall, while the presence of cellulose in cheese may be undesirable to some consumers, it is important to understand that it is a safe and common food additive that is passed through the body without being digested.
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Videos are going viral on TikTok with creators recommending washing pre-shredded cheese to remove additives
Several videos are going viral on TikTok with creators recommending washing pre-shredded cheese to remove additives. The videos show TikTok creators @janelleandkate sharing the cheese-washing tip on their page in February 2024. The video shows the host opening a bag of pre-shredded cheese and pouring it into a mesh colander, which is then placed on top of a large bowl. She then pours water over the shredded cheese and explains that she is rinsing off the anti-caking agents that manufacturers add to the product to keep the cheese pieces from clumping. The video has since garnered over 960,000 views, with the TikTokers claiming that the practice is a good way to save time while still avoiding certain additives.
While the anti-caking agents included in pre-shredded cheese are safe to consume, some people may experience gastrointestinal symptoms from consuming them. These agents can also affect the cheese's ability to melt smoothly and cause sauces to break. Therefore, some people may choose to wash pre-shredded cheese or avoid it altogether. However, experts recommend buying a block of cheese and shredding it at home, as freshly shredded cheese will melt better and not be waterlogged from rinsing.
The controversy surrounding pre-shredded cheese and the presence of additives is not new. In 2018, several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Albertsons, were involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese, which was found to contain cellulose, a food-safe additive derived from wood pulp or cotton lint. While the lawsuit was dismissed, with a judge stating that consumers could simply check the ingredient list, it brought attention to the use of additives in shredded cheese.
It's important to note that cellulose is not harmful and is present in many plant-based foods we consume daily. It is also FDA-approved and generally recognized as safe for consumption. However, some individuals may still prefer to avoid additives due to concerns about processed foods or potential sensitivities. Ultimately, the decision to wash pre-shredded cheese or not is a matter of personal preference, and consumers can make informed choices by checking ingredient lists and understanding the benefits and drawbacks of convenience products like pre-shredded cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, companies do put sawdust in cheese. Sawdust is a form of cellulose, a food additive that has been deemed safe by the FDA since 1973. It is often added to grated or shredded cheese as an anti-caking agent to prevent the shreds from sticking together.
Companies add sawdust to cheese as an anticaking agent to keep the shreds from clumping together. This helps to extend the product's shelf life and improve its texture and functionality.
Yes, it is safe to consume cheese with sawdust. Cellulose is a type of fiber that is not digested by the body, so it passes through without being absorbed. It is commonly found in many other foods such as cereals and granola bars to increase their fiber content.
Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Jewel-Osco owner Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese, have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese, which was found to contain cellulose.
To avoid eating cheese with sawdust, you can opt for block cheese and grate it yourself. Alternatively, you can check the ingredient list on the package and choose cheese that does not contain cellulose or other anticaking agents. Some people also choose to wash pre-shredded cheese to remove additives, but this may not be necessary as these additives are generally safe for consumption.
