Kamil Perry
Grated parmesan cheese is a convenient and popular product, but consumers are often surprised to learn that it may contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp or sawdust. While cellulose is generally considered safe for consumption and not a health hazard, the discovery of its presence in grated parmesan cheese has sparked controversy and even legal action. The issue centres around the misrepresentation of products labelled as \100% Parmesan\ when they contain significant amounts of cellulose filler, with some brands containing up to 8.8% cellulose. This has led to concerns about false advertising and violations of consumer protection laws. To avoid this issue, some consumers opt to buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, ensuring they know exactly what is in their cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is sawdust added to grated parmesan cheese? | Yes, sawdust, or cellulose, is added to grated parmesan cheese. |
| Is it harmful? | No, cellulose is not harmful and is a safe, FDA-approved food additive since 1973. |
| Why is it added? | It is added as an anti-clumping agent and to prevent caking. |
| How much cellulose is added? | The acceptable range is 2-4%. However, some brands have been found to contain up to 8.8% cellulose. |
| How to avoid it? | Buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. |
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What You'll Learn
- Grated parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, a safe food additive made from wood pulp
- An FDA investigation found that some brands of 100% parmesan contain up to 8.8% cellulose
- Kraft, Wal-Mart, and other popular brands were found to have more than 3.8% cellulose
- Cellulose is used as an anti-clumping agent to prevent caking and bind food together
- To ensure your parmesan is 100% cheese, buy a block of parmesan and grate it yourself
Grated parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, a safe food additive made from wood pulp
Cellulose is an anti-clumping agent that helps to prevent caking and bind food together. In the context of grated parmesan cheese, cellulose is added to absorb moisture and keep the cheese from clumping during production, packaging, and shelf life. Without the addition of cellulose, grated parmesan cheese would likely clump together, affecting its texture and appearance.
The practice of adding cellulose to grated parmesan cheese came into the spotlight in 2012 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a Pennsylvania company, Castle Cheese Inc., for allegedly mislabelling their "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product. It was found that the company was mixing other cheeses with their parmesan and adding cellulose as a filler.
While the case raised concerns about the accuracy of labelling and the potential for consumer deception, it is important to note that cellulose itself is not a harmful substance. In fact, it is a component of many plant foods that we consume daily, such as vegetables and wheat products. Cellulose is not digestible by humans, but it is also not associated with any known health risks.
As a safe and FDA-approved food additive, cellulose is commonly added to grated parmesan cheese to improve its functionality and shelf life. However, it is worth mentioning that excessive amounts of cellulose may indicate the presence of fillers or the misrepresentation of a product. To avoid such issues, consumers can opt to purchase a block of parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, ensuring they know exactly what they are consuming.
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An FDA investigation found that some brands of 100% parmesan contain up to 8.8% cellulose
An FDA investigation has revealed that some brands of 100% parmesan contain wood pulp and cellulose as cheap fillers. In some cases, the products were made up of a mix of Swiss, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheese, along with cellulose, and did not contain any parmesan cheese at all. The investigation found that certain brands of parmesan contain up to 8.8% cellulose, even if they are marketed as being made of 100% cheese.
The use of fillers in food products is a common practice, and cellulose, in particular, is an FDA-approved additive that has been deemed safe for consumption. It is a type of plant fiber and is naturally present in many plant foods that we consume daily. According to experts, it is not harmful to health as it is not digested by the body and passes through without causing any issues.
The discovery of cellulose in grated parmesan cheese has sparked outrage among consumers, who feel cheated and misled by the product labeling. This has led to lawsuits and product recalls for some brands, such as Essential Everyday Parmesan Cheese, which was pulled from shelves by Jewel-Osco. Other companies, like Whole Foods, have conducted third-party testing and denied the presence of added cellulose, attributing positive test results to potential errors in fiber testing.
While the presence of cellulose in small amounts is generally accepted to prevent clumping, the high levels found in some brands have raised concerns about the integrity of the product and the potential for fraud and deception in food labeling. This has prompted discussions about the need for better regulation and transparency in the food industry.
To avoid the issue altogether, some consumers opt to buy blocks of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, ensuring they know exactly what is in their cheese.
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Kraft, Wal-Mart, and other popular brands were found to have more than 3.8% cellulose
While cellulose is a safe and FDA-approved food additive, it has been found in varying amounts in several popular grated parmesan cheese brands. Kraft, Wal-Mart, and other well-known brands were discovered to have higher than expected cellulose content, sparking lawsuits and concerns about mislabelling.
Cellulose, derived from wood chips, is commonly used as an anti-clumping agent in grated cheese. While some cellulose content is acceptable, with 2-4% considered the typical range, several popular brands have been found to contain significantly more. Kraft Heinz, for example, was found to have 3.8% cellulose in its "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product. This discovery led to a lawsuit against the company.
Wal-Mart's "Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" is also facing legal action, with test results revealing a cellulose content of 7.8%. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco had an even higher cellulose level of 8.8%. These findings suggest that the amount of cellulose in these products may be higher than what consumers expect or desire.
The issue of cellulose in grated parmesan cheese gained significant attention in 2016 when the FDA exposed that certain "100% Parmesan" cheese products were filled with substitutes like wood pulp. This scandal involved companies like Castle Cheese, which produced parmesan cheese containing no actual parmesan for almost 30 years. The incident highlighted the potential for mislabelling and the use of low-cost fillers in popular cheese products.
While the presence of cellulose in small amounts is not a health risk, it does raise questions about accurate labelling and consumer expectations. The lawsuits against Kraft, Wal-Mart, and other companies aim to address these concerns and hold manufacturers accountable for the accuracy of their product claims. Consumers who wish to avoid cellulose in their grated parmesan cheese may need to opt for whole cheese blocks and grate the cheese themselves.
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Cellulose is used as an anti-clumping agent to prevent caking and bind food together
Cellulose is an organic compound composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It is found in the cellular structure of virtually all plant matter, and it provides structure and strength to the cell walls of plants. While humans cannot digest cellulose, it is considered a dietary fibre and is often added to increase the fibre content of drinks and other liquid items.
Cellulose is also used as an anti-clumping agent in food production. In powdered form, it can be used to coat individual particles of food products, preventing them from sticking together. This is especially useful for shredded and grated cheeses, as well as spice mixes and powdered drink mixes. It can also be used as a carrier substance for other food additives.
In the case of grated Parmesan cheese, cellulose is added to prevent clumping and improve the flow of the product. While some clumping in grated Parmesan may be acceptable, several brands have been found to contain higher levels of cellulose than the acceptable 2 to 4 percent range.
Cellulose is generally considered safe for consumption and has been an FDA-approved food additive since 1973. It is also a component of many plant foods that people consume daily.
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To ensure your parmesan is 100% cheese, buy a block of parmesan and grate it yourself
To ensure your parmesan is 100% cheese, it is recommended to buy a block of parmesan and grate it yourself. This is because, despite the label, some pre-packaged grated parmesan cheese products have been found to contain cellulose, or wood pulp, as an anti-clumping agent. While cellulose is a safe, FDA-approved food additive, it is added to some pre-grated parmesan cheeses in amounts exceeding the acceptable range of 2 to 4%.
For example, in 2015, a Reddit user questioned whether Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese was "in any way real parmesan". This was echoed by a Forbes article from 2012, which pointed out that by law, Parmigiano-Reggiano can only contain milk, salt, and rennet, a natural enzyme from calf intestine. The article also noted that ungrated large chunks of hard cheese like parmesan are often offered for sale at room temperature, while freshly grated parmesan is sold refrigerated.
A Bloomberg report further revealed that some grated parmesan cheese products were found to be made entirely from cheaper Swiss, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheese, along with cellulose filler. Neil Schuman of Arthur Schuman Inc., America's largest hard Italian cheese seller, estimated that 20% of the grated parmesan on the market is mislabeled.
To avoid any potential issues with pre-grated parmesan cheese, it is advisable to purchase a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. This way, you can be certain of the ingredients in your cheese and avoid any unwanted additives.
When buying a block of parmesan cheese, look for one that has been inspected and graded to ensure you are getting a quality product. For example, Parmigiano-Reggiano is inspected by a master grader who taps each wheel to identify undesirable cracks and voids. Those that pass the test are then heat-branded with the Consorzio's logo.
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Frequently asked questions
Grated parmesan cheese is not made with sawdust. However, it may contain cellulose, a plant material commonly associated with wood pulp, which is added as an anti-clumping agent.
No, cellulose is not the same as sawdust. While it is commonly associated with wood pulp, cellulose is also present in plant foods that we eat every day.
Yes, cellulose is safe to consume. It has been a safe, FDA-approved food additive since 1973 and is not known to pose any health risks. In fact, it is an essential part of our digestive process.
The only way to be certain is to buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself.
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