Bushra Griffith
In 2016, the FDA found that several major Parmesan cheese brands, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Albertsons, contained wood pulp. This revelation led to a lawsuit against these companies for falsely advertising their products as 100% grated Parmesan cheese. Despite the scandal, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, arguing that consumers could have checked the ingredient statement to find cellulose listed. Cellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, is a common anti-clumping agent in grated cheese, and its inclusion does not indicate the presence of literal sawdust or wood chunks in the product. While the lawsuit is unlikely to change the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it may lead to modified labeling practices in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does parmesan cheese have sawdust in it? | No, but it does contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp. |
| Percentage of cellulose in parmesan cheese | Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco: 8.8%. Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart: 7.8%. Kraft: 3.8%. Whole Foods: 0.3%. |
| Lawsuits | In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, Supervalu, and Icco Cheese, for mislabelling their products as 100% grated Parmesan cheese. |
| Outcome of the lawsuit | The judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that consumers could check the ingredient list to see if cellulose was included. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons and other major brands have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese
- The lawsuit claims that the product is not 100% Parmesan cheese, as it contains cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp
- The percentage of cellulose in these products varies, with Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco containing 8.8%
- The president of Castle Cheese, which supplied Parmesan to megastores like Target, pleaded guilty to charges of selling cheese containing no actual Parmesan
- While the lawsuit may not change the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it could modify how these products are labelled in the future
Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons and other major brands have been involved in lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese
Several major brands, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, Jewel-Osco, Supervalu, and Icco Cheese, have faced lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese products. The lawsuits allege that the companies engaged in deceptive and misleading business practices by mislabelling their products. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim that the products are not 100% Parmesan cheese as they contain significant amounts of cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp or sawdust.
The controversy surrounding the grated Parmesan cheese began in 2016 when Walmart was accused of unlawful, deceptive, and misleading business practices regarding its Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese product. The original lawsuit was dismissed when it was found that the product labels listed cellulose as an ingredient. However, the lawsuit was revived in 2020 as a multi-district litigation (MDL) to include Albertsons, Kraft Heinz, and the ICCO-Cheese Company. The revived lawsuit argued that the front labels on these products, which stated "100% Parmesan Cheese", were misleading to consumers.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that the amount of cellulose present in the cheese is more than what is required for its anti-clumping function, indicating that it is being used as a filler. This filler may include non-cheese ingredients such as cheaper Swiss, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheese, as well as cellulose from wood pulp. The lawsuit claims that the companies falsely advertised their products as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese", when in reality, they contained significant amounts of non-cheese fillers.
While the companies involved in the lawsuit have denied any wrongdoing, the repercussions for the cheese industry are still pending. It is unlikely that the lawsuit will result in a ban on the use of cellulose in grated cheese, but it may lead to changes in how these products are labelled in the future. Consumers who wish to avoid the issue altogether can opt to buy blocks of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves.
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The lawsuit claims that the product is not 100% Parmesan cheese, as it contains cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp
Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese, have been involved in a lawsuit over their "100% grated Parmesan cheese" products. The lawsuit claims that the product is not 100% Parmesan cheese, as it contains cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp.
The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not illegal, and it is allowed to be used as an additive. However, the percentage of cellulose in some products may be surprising to consumers. Bloomberg conducted experiments that revealed varying percentages of cellulose in different brands of grated Parmesan cheese. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contained 8.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese had 7.8%. Even Whole Foods, despite not listing cellulose as an ingredient, had 0.3% of the filler. Kraft, another well-known brand, had 3.8% cellulose.
The lawsuit against these cheese companies was dismissed by a judge in 2018. The judge stated that consumers could simply turn the container around and see that cellulose is listed as an ingredient. This decision highlights the importance of reading labels and understanding the implications of specific words, such as "grated," in food labeling regulations.
While the lawsuit may not directly change the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it could lead to modifications in how these products are labeled in the future. It is essential to note that cellulose is not sawdust, although it is present in sawdust as trees are a type of plant. Cellulose is a component of plant cell walls and is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods that we consume regularly.
This incident serves as a reminder for consumers to be vigilant about the ingredients and labeling of the products they purchase. While the presence of cellulose in small quantities may not pose a significant health risk, it is essential to have accurate information about the products we consume.
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The percentage of cellulose in these products varies, with Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco containing 8.8%
While the idea of sawdust in cheese may seem absurd, it is not entirely false. The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese has sparked controversy, with consumers questioning the authenticity of the product. Cellulose, derived from plant cell walls, is commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and, indeed, wood pulp. This innocuous ingredient is added to grated cheese as an anti-clumping agent, but its inclusion challenges the claim of "100% grated Parmesan cheese."
The controversy surrounding the presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese has led to legal repercussions. In 2018, a lawsuit was filed against several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco owner Albertsons, alleging that their "100% grated Parmesan cheese" was misleading. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge, who argued that consumers could simply check the ingredient list to identify the presence of cellulose.
While the lawsuit may not directly impact the continued use of cellulose in grated cheese, it draws attention to the importance of accurate labeling. Consumers have a right to know the exact composition of the products they purchase, especially when it involves unexpected ingredients like cellulose. This incident serves as a reminder to be vigilant about the food we consume and to remember that "100% cheese" and "100% grated cheese" are distinct categories with different legal definitions.
To ensure the highest quality and peace of mind, consumers can opt to buy blocks of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves. By doing so, individuals can be certain of the ingredients in their cheese and customize it to their desired consistency without the surprise addition of cellulose or wood pulp. This simple solution empowers consumers to take control of their culinary experiences and make informed choices about the food they enjoy.
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The president of Castle Cheese, which supplied Parmesan to megastores like Target, pleaded guilty to charges of selling cheese containing no actual Parmesan
In 2016, Michelle Myrter, the president of Castle Cheese, pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges of selling "100% grated Parmesan" that was made without any Parmesan cheese and contained cellulose, or wood pulp. Castle Cheese supplied its Market Pantry brand of Parmesan to megastores like Target, and its Always Save and Best Choice brands to 3,400 stores supplied by Associated Wholesale Grocers of Kansas City, Kansas.
The scandal broke when it was discovered that Castle Cheese was selling products labelled as "100% Parmesan" or ""100% Romano" that, in fact, contained no Parmesan or Romano cheese at all. Instead, they were made with a combination of Swiss, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheeses, along with cellulose, which is made from wood pulp. Up to 4% cellulose is allowed as a safe additive in such cheeses, according to FDA standards. However, this additive is used as a filler to cut costs, and the percentage of cellulose in some products might be surprising to consumers. For example, Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contains 8.8% cellulose, while Kraft's product contains 3.8%.
The guilty pleas marked the latest in a string of federal criminal prosecutions related to adulterated foods. Other cases involved salmonella-contaminated peanut butter products and a deadly listeria outbreak caused by cantaloupe. The Department of Justice prosecutes people and companies who introduce adulterated or misbranded food into interstate commerce. In this case, consumers were defrauded and purchased inferior products that they believed to be authentic Parmesan and Romano cheeses.
While the Pennsylvania cheese cases did not cite food safety issues, inspectors with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did find listeria problems at the production facilities. The FDA is responsible for ensuring that companies are not lying about selling 100% Parmesan cheese and can step in regarding the amount of wood pulp in grated Parmesan cheese. However, the FDA generally prioritizes health risks over woody cheese.
The full repercussions for the cheese companies involved are still pending. However, it is doubtful that this lawsuit will change whether or not cellulose is used in grated cheese. Instead, it will likely modify how these products can be labelled in the future, with potentially greater emphasis on listing the percentages of cellulose used.
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While the lawsuit may not change the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it could modify how these products are labelled in the future
Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, Supervalu, and Icco Cheese, have been involved in a lawsuit over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese products. The issue is that these products are not, in fact, 100% Parmesan cheese, but contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp. While the presence of cellulose in grated cheese is not illegal, the lawsuit calls into question the labelling of these products as "100% grated Parmesan cheese".
In 2018, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, stating that consumers could simply check the ingredient statement on the container to see if cellulose is listed. However, this incident has brought attention to the potential for deceptive labelling in the food industry. The difference between a label stating "100% cheese" and "100% grated cheese" is significant, with the latter allowing for the inclusion of ingredients other than cheese, such as cellulose.
While cellulose is not harmful to consume and is naturally present in all fruits, vegetables, and plants, its presence in grated cheese products may be unexpected for consumers. Bloomberg's experiments on store-bought grated cheese found varying percentages of cellulose in different brands, with Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco containing 8.8% cellulose, Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart containing 7.8% cellulose, and Kraft containing 3.8% cellulose. Even Whole Foods, despite not listing cellulose as an ingredient, had 0.3% of the filler in their product.
Neil Schuman of Arthur Schuman Inc., America's largest hard Italian cheese seller, estimates that up to 20% of grated Parmesan cheese on the market may be mislabelled. This incident highlights the importance of accurate and transparent labelling in the food industry, especially when it comes to the use of fillers or additives. While the lawsuit may not change the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it could lead to modifications in how these products are labelled in the future, including listing the percentages of cellulose or other fillers used.
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Frequently asked questions
Parmesan cheese does not contain sawdust, but it may contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp.
Cellulose is added to grated parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent.
Yes, cellulose is safe to consume and is found in all fruits, vegetables, and plants.
