Kamil Perry
Kraft Heinz has faced a series of lawsuits over its 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese product, which has been found to contain wood pulp filler. The company has been accused of violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, with plaintiffs claiming they relied on misleading labels when making purchases. While cellulose is an FDA-approved additive, Kraft's product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, higher than the acceptable range of 2-4%. The issue has sparked a broader debate about the use of ultra-processed foods and the accuracy of food labeling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kraft Heinz Parmesan Cheese containing wood filler | Yes |
| Percentage of cellulose in Kraft Parmesan Cheese | 3.8% |
| FDA-approved percentage of cellulose | 2% to 4% |
| Independent laboratory test results for cellulose in other brands | Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco: 8.8%. Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart: 7.8%. Whole Foods 365 brand: 0.3%. |
| Class action lawsuits filed | Yes, in Illinois, New York, Missouri, California, and potentially others |
| Outcome of lawsuits | Pending |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Heinz faces a $5 million lawsuit over the issue
Kraft Heinz faces a $5 million lawsuit over claims that its "'100% Grated Parmesan Cheese' contains nearly four per cent filler derived from wood chips. The lead plaintiff, Samantha Lewin, alleges that she relied on the product's misleading label when making her purchase. According to the lawsuit, the "cheese" product was independently tested and found to contain 3.8 per cent cellulose, as well as an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp.
Lewin states that she paid a premium for the Kraft Parmesan cheese, assuming that it was made of 100% Parmesan cheese. She argues that the product did not have the characteristics or qualities promised by Kraft Heinz. This lawsuit is not an isolated incident, as similar lawsuits have been filed against Kraft Heinz in Illinois, Missouri, California, and New York.
In response to the allegations, Kraft Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen stated that cellulose is FDA-approved and that their product is within acceptable levels of cellulose. He added that Kraft Heinz is committed to the quality of its products and to listening to its consumers.
The controversy surrounding Kraft Heinz's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" highlights the challenges of ensuring accurate labelling and consumer trust in the food industry. It also underscores the potential financial and legal consequences for companies found to be engaging in deceptive practices.
To avoid similar issues, consumers are advised to purchase Parmesan cheese from reputable brands or buy a block of Parmesan and grate it themselves.
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Kraft's 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese contains 3.8% cellulose
Kraft Heinz has faced a series of lawsuits over its "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product, which was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, a filler and anti-clumping agent derived from wood chips. The lawsuits allege that the product's labeling and marketing as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" are false and misleading due to the presence of cellulose as a filler.
The issue at hand revolves around the use of the term "100%" on the product label, which implies that the product is purely Parmesan cheese without any fillers or additives. However, the discovery of cellulose, a substance derived from wood chips, contradicts this claim and has led to allegations of deceptive business practices and misrepresentation.
Cellulose is a plant fiber that is legal and FDA-approved for use in food products, including pre-grated cheese. It is recognized as a safe additive by the FDA and can be used in amounts ranging from 2% to 4%. In the case of Kraft Heinz's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese," the presence of 3.8% cellulose falls within the acceptable range set by the FDA.
While the use of cellulose as a filler in small amounts is common in the food industry, the lawsuits against Kraft Heinz highlight the importance of accurate labeling and transparency in product ingredients. Consumers expect products labeled as "100%" to be free from fillers or additives, and any deviation from this expectation can be considered misleading.
To avoid the issue of wood fillers in their Parmesan cheese, consumers are advised to purchase blocks of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves. This ensures that they know exactly what is in their cheese and can control the amount of cellulose or other additives present.
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Cellulose is an FDA-approved additive, used to prevent clumping
Kraft Heinz has faced multiple lawsuits over its "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product, which was found to contain wood pulp, a filler ingredient. Kraft's product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, a type of plant fiber derived from wood chips. While cellulose is an FDA-approved additive, used to prevent clumping, Kraft's labeling of the product as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" has been deemed misleading.
Cellulose is a plant fiber that is often used as an anti-clumping agent in pre-grated cheese products. It is derived from wood chips and is recognized by the FDA as a "safe additive." The FDA allows the use of cellulose in cheese products at levels ranging from 2% to 4%. While it is not uncommon for small amounts of cellulose to be present in cheese, it is added primarily to prevent clumping and to increase the weight of the product. In the case of Kraft's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese," the presence of cellulose as a filler ingredient has been a point of contention, as consumers expected a product made solely of Parmesan cheese.
The use of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is a common practice in the industry. It is added to prevent clumping and improve the texture of the product. However, due to the expense of Parmesan cheese, it is more susceptible to the addition of fillers. Kraft's product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, which is within the acceptable range specified by the FDA. Nevertheless, the labeling of the product as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" has been the main issue in the lawsuits, as consumers expected a product free of fillers and made solely of Parmesan cheese.
While cellulose is an approved additive, its presence in Kraft's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" has sparked concerns about the accuracy of food labeling. Consumers have expressed disappointment and felt deceived by the labeling, as they expected a product without fillers. The lawsuits against Kraft highlight the importance of transparent and accurate labeling in the food industry to ensure that consumers are fully informed about the products they purchase.
In response to the lawsuits, Kraft Heinz has defended its use of cellulose, stating that it is within acceptable levels and that the company is committed to product quality. The company has acknowledged that clumping is a common issue with grated Parmesan cheese and that cellulose is added to address this problem. Kraft's position underscores the challenge of balancing consumer expectations, product quality, and the use of approved additives in the food industry.
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Kraft is not the only company to be accused of this
Kraft Heinz is not the only company to be accused of adding wood pulp to its Parmesan cheese. In 2016, Bloomberg News reported that many well-known brands were guilty of this practice, including Whole Foods. In 2020, Walmart faced a class-action lawsuit over its "Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product, which was found to contain an unacceptably high percentage of wood pulp filler. Similar lawsuits were also filed in Missouri and California against Kraft Heinz for their 100% Parmesan Cheese, which was found to contain a high percentage of wood-derived filler.
In 2016, a Bloomberg report revealed that Pennsylvania-based Castle Cheese Inc. had been doctoring its "Parmesan" cheese with a mix of cheap cheddar and cellulose (wood pulp). The company was fined $500,000 for mislabelling, and an executive pleaded guilty to food adulteration. This incident prompted an FDA investigation, which found that several other companies were also violating food labelling regulations by including cellulose fillers in their cheese products.
It is important to note that while the use of cellulose as a filler is legal in the United States, it is considered deceptive and misleading when the product is labelled as "100% Parmesan Cheese". This has led to multiple lawsuits being filed against companies like Kraft Heinz and Walmart, alleging violations of consumer fraud and deceptive business practices acts.
One source mentions that Organic Valley also uses wood pulp in its products, although it is in compliance with federal rules governing organic products. Another source mentions that Taco Bell can label its meat as 100% beef because it does not contain chicken or pork, even though it contains non-meat ingredients like spices and limestone. This further complicates the issue of labelling and consumer expectations.
Overall, while Kraft Heinz has received significant attention for its use of wood pulp filler in Parmesan cheese, it is certainly not the only company to engage in this practice. The issue of proper labelling and consumer awareness remains a ongoing concern in the food industry.
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Consumers are advised to buy blocks of Parmesan and grate it themselves
Parmesan cheese is particularly susceptible to the addition of fillers due to its expense, as the cheese has a lower milk-to-cheese ratio, resulting in higher production costs. While small amounts of cellulose are acceptable, excessive amounts can affect the quality and taste of the cheese.
By buying blocks of Parmesan cheese and grating it themselves, consumers can avoid the potential issues associated with pre-grated cheese. Blocks of Parmesan can be purchased from retailers such as Costco, and properly stored, they can last for several months. Consumers can also buy smaller blocks and grate the amount they need, storing the remainder in the fridge to maintain freshness.
Additionally, grating your own Parmesan cheese can offer a superior taste and texture compared to pre-grated options. It can also be more economical, as pre-grated cheese blends often contain smaller quantities of Parmesan mixed with other cheeses, resulting in a higher cost for a lower-quality product. Therefore, buying a block of Parmesan cheese and grating it as needed is a recommended option for consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kraft Parmesan cheese has been found to contain 3.8% cellulose, a filler derived from wood chips.
Yes, cellulose is an FDA-approved additive and is safe to consume. It is used to prevent clumping in pre-grated cheese.
Kraft Heinz faced multiple lawsuits in 2016 and 2019 for falsely advertising their "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product and misleading consumers.
Bloomberg's investigation found high levels of cellulose in Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese (8.8%), Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese (7.8%), and Whole Foods 365 (0.3%).
