Andy Montoya
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They are individually wrapped slices of cheese that are a staple for many people due to their convenience and flavour. Despite their taste and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese and are more accurately described as a cheese food product. This article will explore the ingredients and manufacturing process of Kraft Singles to understand why they are not classified as traditional cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kraft Heinz |
| Product | Kraft Singles |
| Introduced | 1950 |
| Individually wrapped slices introduced | 1965 |
| Ingredients | Milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, paprika extract |
| Percentage of real cheese | Less than 51% |
| Label | Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product |
| Label history | Kraft initially used the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food" until the FDA ordered them to stop in 2002 |
| Sales | Flat since 2019 |
| Market share | 40% of households in the US |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Kraft Singles are not real cheese
Kraft Singles are a popular food item, often used in sandwiches or grilled cheese, and are renowned for their convenience and flavour. However, despite their taste and appearance, Kraft Singles are not, in fact, real cheese.
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product, introduced in 1950, and are individually wrapped slices of a cheese-like substance. The product is formed separately in manufacturing and is not sliced from a block. Kraft Singles are made from a blend of various cheeses, melted together with other ingredients. While real cheese is made from milk, rennet, and salt, Kraft Singles contain a host of other ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract. The high number of additional ingredients means that Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese, and therefore cannot legally be labelled or sold as cheese. Instead, they are labelled as a 'cheese food product' or 'pasteurized prepared cheese product'.
The creation of Kraft Singles is often attributed to J.L. Kraft, who, according to research chemist Michael Tunick, wanted to use up older, unusable cheeses. Kraft melted and blended these with other ingredients to create a new product. This process has since been replicated by other manufacturers, with similar products such as Velveeta appearing on shelves. Kraft Singles have faced criticism for their nutritional content, with some arguing that their highly processed nature and long list of ingredients make them an unhealthy option, despite their high calcium content.
The product has also faced rebranding challenges, with the company receiving an FDA warning in 2002 due to a formulation change that included a non-permitted additive. As a result, Kraft had to change the product's label from "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food" to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product". Additionally, in 2017, the Kraft branding was retired in Australia, and the product's name was changed to "Dairylea Slices".
Goat Cheese Making: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Kraft Singles are a cheese food product
Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. They are a processed cheese product, which means they are made by blending real cheese with other ingredients to alter the texture and flavour. Kraft Singles have a long list of ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract, which gives each slice its signature yellow colour. With all these ingredients, Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese, which is why they are labelled as a "cheese food product" and not just "cheese".
Kraft Singles were created by J.L. Kraft, who wanted to use up older cheeses that were no longer usable. He melted down the cheese pieces and blended them with other ingredients to create single slices of American cheese. This process of blending and processing cheese allowed Kraft Singles to have a long shelf life and a consistent appearance, with each slice being the same thickness and not curling or hardening.
The labelling of Kraft Singles has evolved over time. Initially, they were labelled as "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food", but due to formulation changes, the FDA warned in 2002 that this label could no longer be used. Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product". This change was made because the percentage of milkfat in the product from added dairy ingredients was greater than 5%, disqualifying it from the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" category.
Cheese Curls: Unraveling Their Tasty, Cheesy, Crunchy Composition
You may want to see also
Kraft Singles are individually wrapped
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", but were not individually wrapped until 1956 when American engineer Arnold Nawrocki developed a machine to wrap them. Although Kraft Foods became synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices, it was Nawrocki and the Clearfield Cheese Company that revolutionized its packaging and marketing. In 1965, Kraft began selling its Singles product with the slices individually wrapped.
The slices are formed separately during manufacturing and are not slices cut from a block. Each slice is wrapped in a thin plastic coating, which helps to preserve the cheese and maintain its shape and freshness. The plastic wrapping also makes the product more convenient for consumers, as it allows them to easily grab a single slice without having to worry about the cheese sticking together or drying out.
The individual wrapping also helps to extend the shelf life of the product. Kraft Singles were designed to never expire, and the plastic wrapping plays a key role in achieving this. It creates a barrier that prevents oxygen and moisture from reaching the cheese, which slows down the growth of bacteria and mould.
In 2023, Kraft updated the packaging for Kraft Singles, featuring updated branding and an easier-to-open wrapper. Despite their popularity, Kraft Singles have faced some criticism for their packaging. Some people argue that the individual plastic wrappers contribute to plastic waste and are not environmentally friendly.
Artisan Cheese: Mastering the Ancient Craft
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kraft Singles were introduced in 1950
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices", are a brand of processed cheese product. Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. They are more accurately described as a "cheese food product". This is because they are made from a variety of ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract, which gives each slice its signature yellow colour. When all of these ingredients are mixed together, Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese, which is why they cannot be labelled as such.
The creation of Kraft Singles is often attributed to J.L. Kraft, who wanted to use up older cheeses. He did this by melting down all the unusable pieces of cheese and blending them with other ingredients. The result was single slices of American cheese. Kraft was the first to process cheese in this way, but other manufacturers soon followed suit, creating similar products like Velveeta.
Initially, Kraft Singles were not individually wrapped. It was not until 1956 that an American engineer, Arnold Nawrocki, developed a machine that could wrap the slices individually. This revolutionised the packaging and marketing of Kraft Singles, and the brand eventually became synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices. However, it was not until 1965 that Kraft introduced the product to the market.
Kraft Singles have faced some criticism and controversy. In 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that they could no longer use the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food" due to a formulation change that included a non-permitted additive. Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product". Additionally, Kraft Singles have been accused of misleading marketing, as they were endorsed by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) with a "Kids Eat Right" label, which could be misinterpreted as indicating that the product is healthy for children.
The Mystery Behind Cheese: Which Animal's Milk?
You may want to see also
Kraft Singles are not healthy
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. Introduced in 1950, the individually wrapped "slices" are not really slices off a block but formed separately in manufacturing. While Kraft Singles may be a staple for many people, they are not healthy.
Firstly, Kraft Singles are not real cheese. Real cheese is made from milk, rennet, and salt, while Kraft Singles contain a host of other ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract. When all these ingredients are mixed together, Kraft Singles are less than 51% real cheese, which is why they cannot be legally called cheese. Instead, they are labelled as a "cheese food product".
Secondly, Kraft Singles were invented to never expire. They were designed to look perfect, with each slice the same thickness, and they don't get hard or curl. However, this means that they are highly processed and full of artificial ingredients.
Thirdly, Kraft Singles are high in fat and calories. The percentage of milkfat in the product is greater than 5%, which is why they are labelled as a "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product" rather than "Pasteurized Process Cheese". This high fat content, combined with the other ingredients, makes Kraft Singles a high-calorie food.
Finally, Kraft Singles are often marketed as a healthy option for children, with labels such as "Kids Eat Right". However, this is misleading. While Kraft Singles do contain calcium, the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to their nutritional value.
Cheese Mold Magic: Bacteria's Role Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, Kraft Singles are not real cheese. They are a mixture of melted cheese and other ingredients. Kraft Singles are legally considered a "cheese food product".
Kraft Singles are made from a mixture of melted cheese, milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
Kraft Singles are not considered real cheese because they contain more than 5% milkfat from added dairy ingredients. Real cheese is made from milk, rennet, and salt, while Kraft Singles contain other ingredients that alter the texture and flavor.
Kraft Singles were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices". They were not individually wrapped until 1965.
Sales of Kraft Singles have been declining, especially among millennials who are seeking healthier and more natural food options.
