Kamil Perry
The use of real cheese in fast-food chains has been a topic of debate, with many chains using fillers and artificial flavors to create cheese-like products. Subway, a giant in the fast-food industry, has faced scrutiny for the authenticity of its ingredients, including its cheese. With nearly 24,000 locations, the chain offers a variety of cheeses, but the question remains: does Subway use real cheese?
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What You'll Learn
Subway's cheese is processed
While Subway has not released an official statement on whether their cheese is processed, former employees and customers have expressed their opinions on the matter. According to a former Subway employee, the cheese used is "bog-standard processed plastic cheese" that can be purchased from any supermarket. Another employee, when asked if the cheese was real, responded that they had "no clue" but compared it to the cheese typically found at grocery stores for that type of cheese.
Some customers have also expressed their doubts about the authenticity of Subway's cheese, with one customer recalling an incident where an older gentleman inquired about the cheese being real or a cheese product. The customer's impression seemed to suggest that they believed Subway's cheese to be processed.
It is worth noting that the definition of "real cheese" is also a factor in this discussion. According to one source, for a dairy product to be considered real cheese, it must contain at least 51% natural cheese. Processed cheese, while containing true cheese, often falls below this threshold.
While Subway has not explicitly stated that their cheese is processed, the consensus among employees and customers seems to be that it is not considered "real cheese." This aligns with the broader trend of fast-food chains using fillers and artificial flavors to create cheese-like products.
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It's called American cheese
It is widely speculated that Subway uses processed cheese, which is often referred to as "American cheese". This type of cheese is typically made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, and whey protein concentrate. While it may not be considered "real cheese" by some, it is a common practice among many fast-food chains to use processed cheese products.
In the United States, Subway offers a variety of cheese options, including provolone, Swiss, cheddar, and pepper jack, in addition to American cheese. However, some people have questioned the authenticity of these cheese varieties, suggesting that they may also be processed.
According to a former Subway employee, the chain uses "bog-standard processed plastic cheese" that can be purchased from any supermarket. This statement aligns with the general perception that Subway's cheese is not of the highest quality or authenticity.
While Subway has not explicitly confirmed the use of processed cheese, it is important to note that the term "American cheese" is often associated with processed cheese products. Additionally, the FDA has stated that American cheese is not considered real cheese, further supporting the notion that Subway's cheese is processed.
It is worth mentioning that the use of processed cheese is a common practice in the fast-food industry, and many other well-known chains also use processed cheese products. However, as consumers become increasingly conscious of the ingredients in their food, there may be a shift towards more natural and authentic options.
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It's similar to grocery store cheese
While Subway does use real cheese, it is similar to the processed cheese products found at grocery stores. A Subway employee on Reddit recounted how a customer once asked if the cheese was "real or just a cheese product". The employee, unsure of the difference, responded that it was "probably as real as what you'd get at the grocery store for this type of cheese".
Indeed, many fast-food chains, including Subway, use fillers and artificial flavors to create what can be considered "cheese". For instance, McDonald's uses slices of cheese on its burgers, but they contain less than 50% real cheese and are thus not considered real cheese. These cheese products also contain additives like acetic acid, enzymes, or sodium pyrophosphate, which can either make the cheese product last longer or give it a certain color.
Subway has also been criticized for the quality of its ingredients, with some claiming that the company does not always deliver to its customers the food they think they are getting. This includes the cheese used in its sandwiches, which has been described as "bog-standard processed plastic cheese" by a Subway employee. The same employee also noted that the cheese could be bought from any supermarket.
While Subway does offer a range of cheese options in the US, including provolone, Swiss, cheddar, and pepper jack, a former employee claimed that the cheese used in the UK was highly processed. They also mentioned that the cheese in the US might also be processed, although they were unsure.
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It's not spray cheese
While there is no clear consensus on whether Subway uses real cheese, it is evident that the cheese they use is not spray cheese.
Subway has been criticized for not always delivering the food that customers think they are getting, and the cheese they use has been described as "bog-standard processed plastic cheese" that can be bought from any supermarket. This suggests that the cheese is not freshly grated or sliced from blocks but is instead a pre-packaged, processed product.
One source mentions that Subway uses "part-skim mozzarella cheese" or "pizza cheese," which is made from pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, and whey protein concentrate. This type of cheese is commonly used in the food industry due to its low cost and ability to create a gooey, melted texture.
Another source mentions that Subway offers different varieties of cheese in the United States, including American, provolone, Swiss, cheddar, and pepper jack. The availability of these cheese options implies that Subway uses pre-packaged, sliced cheese rather than spraying cheese onto their sandwiches.
While some may have the perception that spray cheese is used in fast-food settings, it is not a common practice, and Subway's cheese offerings align more with the use of pre-sliced or shredded cheese products.
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Other fast-food chains use fake cheese too
While Subway has not released any official statement regarding the authenticity of the cheese used in its sandwiches, it is speculated that the cheese used in its American restaurants is not considered "real cheese" by the FDA. This is because, in America, processed cheese needs to have a minimum of 51% real cheese to be classified as real cheese.
Subway is not the only fast-food chain that uses fake cheese. Many other popular fast-food restaurants also use processed cheese products that are not considered "real cheese" by the FDA. These include:
- McDonald's: The company's website states that it uses processed pasteurized American cheese, which only contains a minimum of 51% real cheese.
- Burger King: Burger King also uses a "cheese product" on most of its burgers, except for the Bacon Swiss Royal Crispy Chicken and mozzarella sticks, which contain real Swiss and mozzarella cheese.
- Bojangles: The ingredients of its mac and cheese are unclear, but it only lists "noodles" and "cheese sauce" on its website, leaving consumers suspicious.
- Panera, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Chipotle, Wendy's, Chick-fil-A, and Jack-in-the-Box: These chains were mentioned by Mashed as using fake cheese, but it is unclear what specific cheese products are in question.
The use of processed cheese in the fast-food industry is driven by factors such as meltability, extended shelf life, and lower costs. However, it is worth noting that some fast-food chains do use real, non-processed cheese, such as Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, and Chipotle.
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Frequently asked questions
According to a Subway employee, the cheese used is processed cheese. However, it is not clear whether all varieties of cheese offered at Subway are processed.
Processed cheese is made by blending different types of cheese with other ingredients such as pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, and whey protein concentrate.
Processed cheese is cheaper to make, lasts longer, and has a consistent taste and texture.
