Andy Montoya
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. In order for a food product to be classified as cheese, it must be more than 50% cheese, which is technically pressed curds of milk. Kraft Singles contain a variety of ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, and small amounts of sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract, which gives each slice its signature yellow colour. The individually wrapped slices are formed separately during manufacturing and are known for their meltability and convenience, making them a popular choice for sandwiches, grilled cheese, and burgers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kraft Singles |
| Manufacturer | Kraft Heinz |
| Introduced | 1950 |
| Individually wrapped slices | Yes |
| Type of product | Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product |
| Ingredients | Milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, paprika extract |
| Percentage of milkfat | Greater than 5% |
| Previous labels | Pasteurized Process Cheese Food |
| Sales | Flat since 2019 |
| Number of slices produced per year | 7.2 billion |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Singles are not real cheese
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese products. They are individually wrapped slices that are formed separately during manufacturing and not cut from a block of cheese. While they may look and taste like cheese, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese.
In the US, for a food product to be classified as cheese, it must be made from pressed milk curds and be more than 50% cheese. Kraft Singles are labelled as a "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product", as they contain less than 51% real cheese. The other ingredients include milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
The reason for this separate classification is that Kraft Singles are made by melting and blending different types of cheese with other ingredients. This process was first used by J.L. Kraft, who wanted to get rid of older, unusable cheeses. Kraft initially labelled their product as "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food", but the FDA warned them against this in 2002 due to a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk in the recipe with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive.
Despite not being classified as cheese, Kraft Singles are still extremely popular. They are a staple in many households, and their convenience and taste are appealing to consumers. Kraft Singles are also well-known for their signature yellow colour, perfect melt, and ability to provide a "cheese pull".
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Kraft Singles ingredients
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 as Kraft De Luxe Process Slices, and the company is synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices. However, Kraft Singles are not technically considered "real cheese" due to their ingredients.
Kraft Singles are made from a blend of cheeses that have been melted together with other ingredients. The primary ingredient in Kraft Singles is cheddar cheese, which is made from cultured milk, salt, and enzymes. The slices also contain skim milk, milkfat, milk, and milk protein concentrate. These dairy ingredients contribute to a higher percentage of milkfat than what is allowed for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labeling.
Other ingredients in Kraft Singles include whey, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, modified food starch, salt, lactic acid, enzymes, cheese culture, and colours like oleoresin paprika and annatto. The presence of these additives and the fact that the product is less than 51% real cheese means it is categorized as a "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product" or "cheese food product."
The ingredients in Kraft Singles have been a source of debate, with some considering it not "real cheese." However, the product remains a popular choice for consumers, with its rich, creamy cheddar taste and convenience for use in sandwiches, burgers, and grilled cheese.
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Kraft Singles history
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were initially called "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices" and were not individually wrapped. The machine for individual wrapping was developed by American engineer Arnold Nawrocki in August 1956. Kraft Singles are formed separately in manufacturing and are not slices off a block.
The product was created by J.L. Kraft, who was trying to get rid of some older cheeses. He melted unusable pieces of cheese and blended them with a few other ingredients. Kraft was the first to process cheese in this way, but other manufacturers followed, creating similar products like Velveeta. Kraft Singles contain ingredients such as milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
Kraft Singles do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labeling as the percentage of milkfat from added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%. Until 2002, Kraft used the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food", which allows for a greater percentage of added dairy. However, the FDA warned Kraft that they could no longer use this label due to a formulation change that replaced non-fat milk with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product".
Kraft Singles are popular, with around 40% of households in the United States continuing to buy them as of 2019. During World Wars I and II, Kraft was the first brand to sell individually-sliced cheese slices to the American public. By 1930, over 40% of U.S. cheese was from Kraft, and today, the company makes about 7.2 billion slices of American cheese per year. In 2023, Kraft updated its packaging for the Singles, featuring updated branding and an easier-to-open wrapper.
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Kraft Singles packaging
Kraft Singles are individually wrapped slices of processed cheese product, introduced in 1950. They are manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. While they are commonly referred to as cheese, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese, as they contain less than 51% real cheese.
The packaging for Kraft Singles has evolved since their introduction. Initially, the slices were not individually wrapped. However, in August 1956, an American engineer, Arnold Nawrocki, developed a machine that allowed for individual wrapping, revolutionizing the product's packaging and marketing. This eventually became synonymous with the Kraft brand, despite the Clearfield Cheese Company being responsible for the innovation.
In 1965, Kraft began selling their Singles as individually wrapped slices, and they continue to be a staple in many households. In 2023, Kraft updated their packaging once more, featuring an updated branding design and an easier-to-open wrapper.
The current packaging for Kraft Singles reflects the brand's focus on convenience and ease of use. The slices are typically sold in rectangular boxes, with each slice sealed in a plastic wrapper to maintain freshness. The boxes are designed to stack efficiently on retail shelves and in consumers' refrigerators. The outer packaging features the Kraft logo, product name, and nutritional information, along with colourful graphics to attract attention.
While the packaging has undergone changes over the years, the iconic yellow colour of the cheese slices remains a consistent visual element. This colour is achieved through the use of ingredients like paprika extract, contributing to the signature appearance of Kraft Singles.
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Kraft Singles advertising
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. The individually wrapped slices are formed separately during manufacturing and are not cut from a block.
Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. They are more accurately described as a cheese food product. Real cheese is made from milk, rennet, and salt, whereas Kraft Singles contain a variety of additional ingredients, including whey, milk protein, emulsifying salts, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract. Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese, which is why they cannot be labelled as such.
Kraft Singles were initially unwrapped, but in August 1956, American engineer Arnold Nawrocki developed a machine that allowed for individual wrapping. This revolutionised the product's packaging and marketing, and Kraft became synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices. In 1965, Kraft introduced its own individually wrapped slices, and in 2023, the company updated its packaging with a new design and an easier-to-open wrapper.
Kraft Singles have been advertised as a convenient and tasty addition to sandwiches, grilled cheese, and burgers. One famous ad campaign claimed that each 3/4-ounce (21-gram) slice contained "five ounces [140 grams] of milk," making them superior to imitation cheese slices made primarily with vegetable oil and water. During World War I and II, Kraft was the first brand to sell individually sliced cheese to the American public, and by 1930, over 40% of U.S. cheese was from Kraft. Today, the company produces about 7.2 billion slices of American cheese annually, with around 40% of U.S. households still buying Kraft Singles.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Singles are made from a mixture of whey, milk proteins, and emulsifying salts. They also contain milk, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. In order for a food product to be classified as cheese, it has to be more than 50% cheese, which is technically pressed curds of milk. Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese.
Kraft Singles were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices". They were not individually wrapped until 1965.
