Kamil Perry
Wood pulp, or cellulose, is a common filler used in a variety of products, including cheese. While it is not against FDA rules and regulations to use it in food products, the issue lies in the improper labeling of products containing wood pulp. In 2016, Bloomberg reported that grated Parmesan cheese was allowed to contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp, and that the percentage of cellulose in some products may be surprisingly high. This has led to concerns about consumer fraud and the accuracy of product labeling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of wood shavings in cheese | Wood pulp, or cellulose, is added to shredded cheese as an anti-clumping agent and to increase fiber content. |
| Health concerns | While some people find the idea of consuming wood shavings unnatural and disturbing, cellulose is a natural component of all plant cell walls and is present in all fruits and vegetables. It is also the key ingredient in fiber supplements and is considered safe to consume by the FDA. |
| FDA regulations | The FDA's Code of Federal Regulations requires all ingredients, including cellulose, to be listed on food labels. The FDA investigated the presence of cellulose in cheese in 2012 and found that some manufacturers were mislabeling their products as 100% Parmesan cheese when they contained up to 10% cellulose. |
| Consumer response | Some consumers have expressed outrage and sued companies like Wal-Mart for fraud. Others have recommended buying cheese blocks and shredding them at home to avoid consuming wood pulp. |
Explore related products
$16.99 $23.39
$12.95 $13.99
$14.99
What You'll Learn
- Wood pulp is added to cheese to prevent clumping and as a filler
- The FDA allows up to 4% cellulose in grated or shredded cheese
- Consumers can avoid wood pulp by buying cheese blocks and grating them at home
- Wood pulp is added to other foods like ice cream and milkshakes
- Wood pulp is also used in fibre supplements
Wood pulp is added to cheese to prevent clumping and as a filler
Wood pulp, or cellulose, is added to grated cheese to prevent clumping and as a filler. It is added to increase bulk and improve texture, providing a creamy 'mouth feel' in reduced-fat foods. Wood pulp is a very common filler, used in a variety of products, including bread. It is not against FDA rules and regulations to use it in food products.
The FDA allows grated or shredded cheese to contain up to 4% cellulose. However, marketing and labelling a product as 100% Parmesan cheese when it contains wood filler is misleading to consumers and a form of fraud. In 2016, Bloomberg reported that many brands of 100% grated Parmesan cheese contained a surprising percentage of cellulose, with some well above the FDA limit.
The issue is not with the addition of cellulose itself, but with improper labelling. The FDA's Code of Federal Regulations states that all ingredients should be listed on the label. Consumers can avoid wood pulp in their cheese by buying blocks of cheese and grating it themselves.
While some people are concerned about the unnatural aspect of adding wood pulp to food, others point out that cellulose is a natural component of all plants' cell walls and is therefore contained in every fruit or vegetable we eat. It is also the key ingredient in fibre supplements, which people pay for to aid digestion.
The Best Way to Store Cheese: Wrap or Bag?
You may want to see also
The FDA allows up to 4% cellulose in grated or shredded cheese
Wood pulp, or cellulose, is a common filler used in a variety of products, including shredded cheese. While the idea of consuming wood pulp may seem unappetizing, cellulose is a natural component of all plants' cell walls and is therefore contained in every fruit or vegetable we eat. In the 1970s, companies began adding cellulose to their products to bulk them up, improve texture, and provide a creamy "mouth feel" in reduced-fat foods.
In the context of shredded cheese, cellulose is added to prevent clumping and to increase the fiber content. The FDA allows grated or shredded cheese to contain up to 4% cellulose. However, marketing and labeling a product as 100% cheese when it contains wood filler is misleading to consumers and is considered consumer fraud.
For example, in 2016, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that store-bought grated cheese was tested for wood-pulp content, and several brands were found to contain significant levels of cellulose. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco was 8.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese registered 7.8%. These levels are well above the FDA's limit of 4%.
To avoid consuming wood pulp in shredded cheese, some consumers choose to buy blocks of cheese and shred it themselves. By shredding their own cheese, individuals can ensure freshness, save money, and have control over the ingredients in their food.
The Perfect Cheeseburger: When to Add Cheese?
You may want to see also
Consumers can avoid wood pulp by buying cheese blocks and grating them at home
The addition of wood pulp to shredded cheese has been a long-standing practice, with companies adding it to their products to increase profit margins. Consumers have expressed concern and outrage over this practice, especially when products are labelled as "100% cheese" despite containing wood pulp. In response, some consumers have taken to buying cheese blocks and grating them at home, ensuring they know exactly what is in their cheese.
While the FDA has investigated the presence of cellulose in cheese, their priority is on health risks and honest labelling rather than the presence of wood pulp itself. The FDA's Code of Federal Regulations states that all ingredients, including cellulose, should be listed on food labels. However, independent testing has revealed that some shredded cheese products contain higher levels of cellulose than what is listed on the label or permitted by the FDA.
By buying cheese blocks and grating them at home, consumers can take control of what they are consuming. They can choose cheese blocks from local farmers or trusted sources, ensuring the cheese is free from fillers or additives. Additionally, grating cheese at home allows for customization of the shred size and consistency, which can enhance the taste and texture of the cheese.
Overall, by taking the time to grate their own cheese, consumers can avoid the wood pulp found in pre-shredded cheese, enjoy fresher cheese, and potentially save money. This simple act of grating cheese at home empowers consumers to make informed choices about the food they eat and aligns with the growing trend of conscious consumption.
The Mystery of Sawdust in Shredded Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Wood pulp is added to other foods like ice cream and milkshakes
Wood pulp, or cellulose, is added to grated cheese varieties to keep the product from clumping, drying out, and molding. While it is not against FDA rules and regulations to use wood pulp in food products, the issue lies in the improper labeling of products containing wood pulp. The FDA's Code of Federal Regulations specifically states that all ingredients should be listed on the label. The FDA allows grated or shredded cheese to contain up to 4% cellulose. However, some products in the market contain more than this amount and are still labeled as 100% cheese, which is misleading to consumers.
Wood pulp is not only added to cheese, but it is also added to other foods like ice cream and milkshakes. It is added to low-fat ice cream to keep it creamy and to premade milkshakes to keep them smooth. While some people may find it unnatural and disturbing to have wood pulp in their food, it is completely safe to eat. Cellulose is a natural component of all plants' cell walls and is therefore contained in every fruit or vegetable. It is also the key ingredient in fiber supplements, which people take to keep themselves regular.
The addition of wood pulp to food products began in the 1970s when companies realized they could bulk up their products, provide better texture, and a creamy "mouth feel" in reduced-fat foods. They also found that they could increase their profits by adding bulk to their products at a low cost. Today, cellulose is a very common filler used in a variety of products, including bread. However, when enough people stopped buying bread brands with added cellulose, bread companies stopped putting wood pulp in their bread.
While wood pulp itself may not be harmful, the intense chemical processing it undergoes to become an additive in food products may be concerning to some. Some people prefer to avoid processed food and eat "real food" instead. To avoid wood pulp in shredded cheese, consumers can choose to buy blocks of cheese and shred it themselves.
Swedes' Strange Coffee: Cheese and Java
You may want to see also
Wood pulp is also used in fibre supplements
Wood pulp, also known as cellulose, is commonly added to shredded cheese varieties to prevent the grated product from clumping. It is also used to provide a better texture and a creamy "mouth feel" in reduced-fat foods. While the FDA allows grated or shredded cheese to contain up to 4% cellulose, it is considered misleading and fraudulent to market and label a product as 100% cheese when it contains wood filler.
Wood pulp is a soft, wet, shapeless mass of material created by reducing wood fibre through chemical or mechanical processes. The chemical method involves cooking wood chips at high temperatures in a mixture of water, sodium hydroxide, and sodium sulfide, resulting in a pulp with higher strength and the ability to be bleached further. On the other hand, the mechanical method involves grinding heated wood chips to separate the fibres, yielding a greater quantity of pulp.
Wood pulp is not only used in cheese but also has various other applications. It is commonly used in the manufacture of paper and paper products, including lightweight coated papers, uncoated papers, kraft papers, tissue grades, and fibre boards. The pulp provides the necessary fibres for these products, and the specific manufacturing process is chosen based on customer requirements for strength and bleaching.
In addition to paper products, wood pulp is also used in fibre supplements. It is considered safe to consume and is used to add fibre to foods without adding calories. While some people may find it unnatural to consume wood pulp, it is a natural component of all plants' cell walls and is present in every fruit or vegetable we eat.
The use of wood pulp in food products, including fibre supplements, is regulated by organizations like the FDA. While it is not against FDA rules and regulations to use wood pulp in food products, improper labelling that fails to disclose all ingredients is considered a violation. Consumers can make informed choices by reviewing product labels and opting for whole foods or locally sourced alternatives when concerned about the presence of additives.
Delicious Brie Toppings to Try at Home
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is common for wood pulp or cellulose to be added to grated or shredded cheese.
Wood pulp is added to shredded cheese to keep it from drying out, clumping, and molding. It also increases the fiber content and adds bulk to the product, which can increase profits.
While the idea of eating wood pulp may seem unnatural and disturbing, it is generally considered safe to consume. Cellulose is a natural component of all plant cell walls, and it is added to many other products like fiber supplements. However, the more significant concern is proper labeling, as consumers have a right to know all the ingredients in their food.
