Randy Chandler
Does parmesan cheese contain wood? This question has been the subject of lawsuits and media attention, with companies like Kraft facing class-action lawsuits alleging that their 100% grated Parmesan cheese contains wood chips or cellulose, which comes from wood pulp. While it is true that cellulose is a common additive in grated parmesan cheese, it is not the same as having chunks of wood tossed into the cheese. Cellulose is a food-safe additive and the primary component of a plant cell wall, found in all fruits, vegetables, and plants consumed. While it may be misleading to label products as 100% grated Parmesan cheese when they contain other ingredients, it is done to save costs, prevent clumping, and add texture without extra calories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Parmesan cheese have wood in it? | No, but it does contain cellulose, a food-safe additive and 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%. |
| Reasons for adding cellulose to Parmesan cheese | Cellulose is cheap, adds body, and mimics the characteristics of more luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. |
| Legal status of adding cellulose to Parmesan cheese | In 2018, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against cheese companies, stating that consumers could see that cellulose was listed in the ingredients. However, in 2020, this verdict was overturned due to misleading labeling. |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft's '100% Grated Parmesan Cheese' contains wood pulp
Kraft's 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese has been found to contain wood pulp, or cellulose, a common additive in food products. While the product is labelled as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese", independent tests revealed that it contains 3.8% cellulose. This discovery has led to a lawsuit against Kraft Heinz, as consumers argue that the labelling is misleading.
Cellulose is the primary component of a plant's cell wall and is found in all fruits, vegetables, and plants that humans consume. While it is not harmful to health, it is added to food products for several reasons. Firstly, it is a cheap additive that helps stretch out expensive products like Parmesan cheese, allowing companies to sell more for less. Secondly, it adds bulk and mimics the characteristics of luxurious foods without adding calories or fat.
In the case of Kraft's 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, cellulose is added as an anti-clumping agent to prevent the cheese from sticking together. Kraft Heinz has defended its use of cellulose, stating that it is FDA-approved and within acceptable levels. The company also asserted its commitment to product quality.
The lawsuit against Kraft Heinz is not an isolated incident. Several other cheese companies, including Walmart and Jewel-Osco, have faced similar lawsuits over their 100% grated Parmesan cheese products. The controversy highlights the importance of accurate labelling and consumer awareness, as individuals rely on labels to know what they are feeding their families.
To avoid the issue of wood pulp in grated Parmesan cheese, some sources recommend buying a block of Parmesan cheese and grating it at home. This ensures that consumers know exactly what is in their cheese and can control the amount of cellulose, if any, that is added.
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The FDA found wood pulp in major Parmesan brands
In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated Castle Cheese Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, and found that the company was mislabelling its "100% real Parmesan" products. The products were found to contain fillers like wood pulp and cheaper cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella. This incident sparked further investigations by Bloomberg, which revealed that several major Parmesan cheese brands also contained significant levels of cellulose, an additive made from wood pulp.
The FDA's findings on Castle Cheese Inc. led to a criminal case against the company for mislabelling and adulterating its products. The company had been distributing cheese labelled as "100% grated Parmesan" when, in reality, it contained no Parmesan cheese at all. This deception had been going on for almost 30 years, with the company supplying major retailers such as Target. The president of Castle Cheese, Michelle Myrter, faced charges carrying a potential sentence of up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Bloomberg's subsequent investigations into other store-bought grated Parmesan cheese brands revealed concerning levels of cellulose. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco was found to contain 8.8% cellulose, while Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart had 7.8%. Even Whole Foods, which did not list cellulose as an ingredient, had traces of cellulose at 0.3%. Kraft, a well-known brand, was found to have 3.8% cellulose in its grated Parmesan cheese.
The discovery of wood pulp in these major Parmesan cheese brands sparked outrage among consumers, who felt deceived by the misleading labels. While cellulose is generally recognized as safe to consume and is found in many plant-based foods, the issue lies in the inaccurate representation of the product's contents. The inclusion of cellulose allows manufacturers to stretch their cheese products, reducing costs and increasing profits. However, this practice undermines consumer trust and raises questions about the integrity of the food industry.
To address this issue, regulatory bodies like the FDA play a crucial role in enforcing labelling regulations and cracking down on misleading practices. In the case of Castle Cheese Inc., the FDA issued a warning letter and pursued legal action. While health risks may take precedence in the FDA's interventions, incidents like this highlight the importance of accurate labelling and consumer protection. As a result of these revelations, consumers are increasingly aware of the potential for adulteration in their food products and are encouraged to be vigilant about ingredient lists and the sources of their food.
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Cellulose is a food additive made from wood pulp
Cellulose is a food additive that is commonly made from wood pulp. It is a type of plant fibre that is found in the cell walls of all fruits, vegetables, and plants. While it may seem strange to think of consuming wood pulp, it is safe to eat and can even provide some benefits in terms of adding texture, preventing clumping, and boosting fibre content in food products.
The use of cellulose as a food additive is not a new phenomenon. It has been around for decades, and the FDA has long approved its use in foodstuffs. Cellulose is prized for its ability to absorb moisture, reduce spoilage, and provide a less "slimy" texture compared to other common additives. Additionally, it is a cost-effective way for manufacturers to stretch out expensive products, such as Parmesan cheese, by adding bulk without adding calories or fat.
One of the main reasons cellulose has become a popular additive is its cost-saving benefits for manufacturers. By adding cellulose to pricy products like Parmesan cheese, companies can reduce their production costs significantly. For example, by adding cellulose to Parmesan cheese, companies can sell twice as much product for half the expense of making it. This not only increases their profit margins but also allows them to keep prices low for consumers.
Another reason for the popularity of cellulose as a food additive is its ability to mimic the characteristics of more luxurious foods. It can add body and texture to products, making low-fat cookies, ice creams, and pancake syrup feel more indulgent without actually adding calories or fat. This allows manufacturers to cut out other more expensive ingredients while still providing a satisfying sensory experience for consumers.
While the addition of cellulose to food products is generally safe and regulated, there have been instances of companies misleading consumers by labelling their products as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" when they contain cellulose and other ingredients. This has sparked lawsuits and debates about the accurate labelling of food products. However, it is important to note that cellulose itself is not harmful and is commonly consumed in many processed foods.
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Cellulose is found in all plant material
While it is true that grated parmesan cheese may contain wood pulp, this is not in the form of wood chips or sawdust being added to the cheese. Instead, the controversy surrounding parmesan cheese involves the addition of cellulose, a food-safe additive that is derived from plant material and acts as an anti-clumping agent.
Cellulose is an organic compound and a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to several thousand glucose units. It is the primary component of plant cell walls, providing strength and rigidity to the plant structure. This compound is found in all plant material, including fruits, vegetables, and plant fibres such as cotton, hemp, flax, and jute. Wood, which is derived from trees, also contains cellulose, typically ranging from 40-50% of its composition.
The presence of cellulose in plant cell walls was first discovered by French chemist Anselme Payen in 1834. Since then, cellulose has become one of the most widely used natural substances and an important commercial raw material. It is of great economic importance, particularly in the production of paper, paperboard, and fibres. Smaller quantities of cellulose are also converted into derivative products such as cellophane, rayon, plastics, and photographic films.
In the context of parmesan cheese, cellulose is added as a filler to reduce costs and mimic the characteristics of more luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. While this practice is legal, it has sparked controversy and lawsuits regarding the accurate labelling of grated parmesan cheese products. Consumers have expressed outrage over the mislabelling of products as "100% grated Parmesan" when they contain significant amounts of cellulose filler.
It is important to note that while cellulose is generally considered safe for consumption, the presence of fillers in cheese can be a concern for consumers who rely on accurate labelling to make informed choices about the food they are feeding their families.
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Companies add cellulose to save money and add body
While it is true that companies have been sued for selling "100% grated Parmesan cheese" that was not entirely Parmesan, the issue is not that the cheese contained wood. Instead, the problem is that the cheese contained a food additive called cellulose, which is made from plant fibre. Cellulose is the primary component of a plant's cell wall, and it is commonly found in fruits and vegetables. While it is not harmful to consume, cellulose is added to food products like Parmesan cheese for two main reasons.
Firstly, adding cellulose to products like Parmesan cheese saves manufacturers a lot of money. This is because authentic Parmesan cheese is notoriously expensive, while cellulose is cheap. By adding cellulose to the product, companies can sell twice as much product for half the expense of making it.
Secondly, cellulose is added to food products because it adds body and mimics the characteristics of more luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. This allows manufacturers to cut out other ingredients when making products like low-fat cookies or ice cream, which then have the same mouthfeel as the full-fat versions.
While the FDA has stepped in to address the issue of companies mislabelling products containing cellulose as "100% Parmesan cheese", the focus has been on the false advertising aspect rather than the presence of cellulose itself. In fact, cellulose is an anti-clumping agent, and many consumers have come to expect its presence in grated Parmesan cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but it does contain cellulose, which is the primary component of a plant's cell wall and is found in all plant material. While cellulose is commonly derived from wood pulp, it is also present in every fruit, vegetable, and plant you eat.
There are a couple of main reasons why manufacturers add cellulose to parmesan cheese. Firstly, it is a cost-effective way to stretch out expensive cheese, allowing companies to sell more product at a lower cost. Secondly, cellulose adds body and mimics the characteristics of luxurious foods without adding calories or fat.
Yes, cellulose is safe to consume and is even a source of dietary fiber. While it may be misleading to label a product as "100% grated parmesan cheese" when it contains other ingredients like cellulose, it is done to improve the product's texture and prevent clumping.
Yes, if you are concerned about the presence of cellulose, you can choose to buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself at home. This way, you have control over the ingredients and can decide whether or not to add cellulose or other anti-clumping agents.
Several well-known brands have been involved in lawsuits due to misleading labels on their grated parmesan cheese products. These include Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Jewel-Osco owner Albertsons, SuperValu, and the manufacturer Icco Cheese. These companies were accused of labeling their products as "100% grated parmesan cheese" when they contained other ingredients, such as cellulose.
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