Bushra Griffith
Pizza Hut's cheese-filled crust has been a popular menu item for years, with the company advertising its pies as being packed with 25% more cheese. However, some customers have noticed a discrepancy between the amount of cheese advertised and the amount of cheese they receive. This has sparked a discussion about whether pizza chains like Pizza Hut use artificial methods to make their cheese look stretchier and more appealing in commercials. While there have been some accusations of glue being used in cheese to make it stretchier, this has been largely debunked, and no evidence has been found to support these claims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of glue | No, glue is not used to make cheese pulls stretchier |
| Use of other inedible products | No specific rule against it, but if it misleads the consumer about an important characteristic of the food, there could be a problem |
| Use of movie magic | Yes |
| Dairy glut | Yes, US dairy operations produce more than the market can bear |
| Cheese proportions | Variable |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's cheese looks so cheesy due to the use of food scientists
Pizza Hut's cheese-laden advertisements have long been a subject of intrigue, with many wondering how the chain achieves such impressive cheese pulls. While there are various tricks employed in food advertising to make products look their best, Pizza Hut's cheesy visuals are not merely a result of clever camera angles or glue-enhanced cheese, as some have speculated. Instead, the company has leveraged the expertise of food scientists to develop cheese that is not only abundant but also possesses the ideal consistency for optimal stretchiness.
In 2016, Pizza Hut collaborated with food scientists from the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) organization to tap into the chronic dairy glut in the United States. DMI food scientist Nitin Joshi shared research and insights that helped persuade Pizza Hut that consumers desired more cheese on their pizzas. This insight led to Pizza Hut's decision to load their pies with even more cheese, a tactic that has proven successful in the fast-food industry.
The involvement of food scientists extended beyond simply recommending increased cheese quantities. Their expertise was crucial in developing a cheese that could stretch like taffy when heated. Lisa McClintock, a food scientist embedded with the Taco Bell product development team, played a pivotal role in this innovation. She worked closely with the team's senior manager, Steve Gomez, to create a proprietary cheese filling that could be mass-produced and even helped invent specialized machinery for this purpose.
The result of these scientific endeavors was a cheese that not only stretched impressively but also delivered on the gooey, melted texture that consumers crave. This cheese innovation, combined with clever advertising techniques, has undoubtedly contributed to the mouthwatering visuals of Pizza Hut's commercials, enticing cheese lovers everywhere.
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The company's advertising tactics
Pizza Hut has employed various advertising tactics to showcase its products, particularly its cheese-centric offerings, in the best light possible. One notable example is the "Ultimate Cheesy Crust Pizza" campaign, which featured the catchy tune "Look at That Crust" by Sir Mix-a-Lot. The advertisement depicted two women indulging in the pizza and emphasising the abundance of cheese in the crust.
While Pizza Hut aims to present its pizzas as cheesy and tempting, some customers have shared their experiences on Reddit, where the reality of the product fell short of their expectations. Some have criticised the cheese in the crust as being insufficient or not living up to the stretchiness and gooeyness portrayed in the commercials. This discrepancy between expectation and reality is a common challenge in food advertising.
To address this, Pizza Hut, like other pizza chains, employs certain techniques to enhance the appearance of their pizzas in commercials. These tactics are designed to make the cheese look stretchier and more abundant. However, it is important to note that these are advertising strategies and may not perfectly represent the actual product.
While there were rumours circulating on Twitter about pizza commercials using glue to stretch the cheese, this practice is highly unlikely. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising in the United States, and while there is no specific rule against adding inedible items to food in commercials, it becomes an issue if it misleads consumers about essential characteristics of the product.
In conclusion, Pizza Hut's advertising tactics aim to showcase their pizzas, especially those with extra cheese, in the most appealing way possible. While some customers may find the reality different from their expectations, the company continually works to improve its recipes and address any concerns.
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A chronic dairy glut in the US
In 2017, the United States experienced a chronic dairy glut, resulting in a surplus of milk. This surplus led to challenges for dairy producers, particularly in certain regions like Michigan, where milk had to be dumped due to insufficient processing capacity. The dairy glut was attributed to rising production levels as more productive cows enabled larger dairies to increase their output. At the same time, there were concerns about potential trade frictions, especially regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico, a significant buyer of US dairy products. The strength of the US dollar and increasing competition from other regions also impacted demand for American milk products.
To address the surplus, some dairy cooperatives shifted their focus to cheese plants or invested in faster-growing segments like organic milk. The dairy industry recognized the importance of exports in managing the excess production, but trade uncertainties created challenges. The Asian market, including China and South Korea, emerged as a crucial export destination for US dairy farmers.
While the 2017 dairy glut caused issues for dairy producers, it is important to note that dairy products play a significant role in the health and well-being of individuals across all life stages. Dairy foods provide essential nutrients for bone health, muscle development, and the growth and development of children. Research has also linked dairy consumption to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and certain types of cancer.
Now, to address the visual appeal of Pizza Hut's cheese in their commercials, it is essential to clarify that the cheese is indeed real and not glued, as some may suspect. While there are no specific FTC rules prohibiting the addition of inedible products to food in advertisements, doing so could mislead consumers about the actual characteristics of the product. Pizza Hut achieves the stretchy and gooey cheese effect through careful preparation and attention to cooking temperatures.
In conclusion, while the chronic dairy glut in the US posed challenges for dairy producers, it also highlighted the versatility and importance of dairy products in both domestic consumption and export markets. Pizza Hut's cheese, though sometimes falling short of expectations, remains a signature feature of their pizzas, benefiting from the availability of dairy products in the US.
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The expectation vs reality of the product
It is no secret that the food we see in commercials often looks different from what we receive in reality. This is true for Pizza Hut's cheesy pizzas as well.
In commercials, pizza is often styled to look its best, and some movie magic is involved in making the cheese look stretchier and more appealing. While glue was allegedly used in the past, it is important to note that this practice is likely outdated and not commonly used anymore. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising to ensure that consumers are not misled about important characteristics of the product. In the case of pizza, cheese is undoubtedly an essential feature, and using glue to create impossibly long cheese pulls could be considered misrepresentation.
In reality, the amount of cheese in Pizza Hut's pizzas may vary, and some customers have expressed disappointment with the cheese-to-crust ratio. The cheese may not be as stretchy and gooey as expected, and in some cases, it may be overcooked or burnt. The consistency of the cheese can also depend on the location, with some Pizza Hut restaurants serving cheese that is pretty solid, while others offer cheese that is stretchier and more to the customer's liking.
Additionally, the process of making stuffed crust pizza can be challenging, and the thin bottom crust can make it difficult to handle the pizza without it flopping. This can result in a pizza that looks haphazardly thrown together, especially if it is not prepared by an experienced cook.
While Pizza Hut's cheesy pizzas may not always live up to the expectations set by their commercials, it is worth noting that the company has been strategically increasing the amount of cheese in its products to cater to consumers' apparent desire for more cheese. This tactic is also influenced by the chronic dairy glut in the US, which has led to overproduction and low prices.
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The use of movie magic and props
Food styling is an essential aspect of movie magic in commercials. Props and styling techniques are used to make the pizza look as cheesy and delicious as possible. This can involve using various substances and techniques to create the desired visual effect. In some cases, elastic substances may be used to mimic the stretchiness of cheese, while other times, the cheese may be drilled into place to achieve the perfect cheese pull.
Another tactic employed by fast-food companies is to develop cheese fillings that stretch like taffy when heated. In 2012, food scientist Lisa McClintock collaborated with the Taco Bell product development team to create such a cheese filling and helped invent proprietary machinery for mass production. This type of cheese is then used in products like the Quesalupa, which features a shell stuffed with melted cheese.
It is worth noting that the cheese used in commercials may not always be real cheese. In many food commercials, including pizza ads, the cheese may be a prop or a substitute that looks similar to the real product. This is because real cheese may not look as appealing on camera or stay fresh during the shooting process.
Overall, the use of movie magic and props in pizza commercials involves a range of techniques, from food styling and props to developing special types of cheese that stretch and melt in specific ways. These practices enhance the visual appeal of the pizza, creating a more enticing advertisement.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut has been working closely with the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) group to develop cheese-heavy pies and stretchier cheese. In addition, food styling and movie magic are often used in commercials to make the cheese look chewier and stretchier.
No, Pizza Hut does not use glue to make the cheese look stretchier. While there is no specific rule against adding inedible products to food in commercials, it is a problem if it misleads the consumer about an important characteristic of the food.
Real food is rarely used in food commercials as it may not look appealing or stay fresh during the shoot. In addition, the cheese you receive may differ from what is advertised due to variations in preparation and cooking techniques across different Pizza Hut outlets.
The high cheese content in Pizza Hut's products can be attributed to the chronic dairy glut in the US, where dairy operations produce more than what consumers can bear. This has pushed dairy prices down, making it more affordable for companies like Pizza Hut to incorporate large amounts of cheese into their products.
