Patrick Oconnell
There is an ongoing debate about whether Parmesan cheese contains sawdust. While it is true that many brands of Parmesan cheese contain cellulose, which is made from wood pulp, this is not the same as saying that they contain sawdust. Cellulose is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material and is added to grated Parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent to prevent the cheese from sticking together. While it may be misleading for a product to be labelled as 100% grated Parmesan cheese when it contains ingredients other than cheese, the presence of cellulose in small amounts (2-4%) is generally considered acceptable.
Is Parmesan Cheese Made with Sawdust?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is sawdust added to Parmesan cheese? | No, but cellulose, which is found in sawdust, is added to grated Parmesan cheese. |
| What is cellulose? | It is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material. |
| Why is cellulose added to grated Parmesan cheese? | It is added as an anti-clumping agent to prevent the cheese from turning into a cohesive mass. |
| Is it safe to consume cellulose? | Yes, it is safe and even has positive health effects. It is also naturally present in many other foods we consume. |
| Is it legal to sell grated Parmesan cheese with cellulose? | Yes, it is legal to add cellulose to grated Parmesan cheese, but there are regulations on the allowed amount, typically 2-4%. |
| How to avoid buying grated Parmesan cheese with cellulose? | Buy a wedge of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano and grate it yourself. |
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What You'll Learn
- Grated Parmesan often contains cellulose, a type of dietary fibre
- Cellulose is an anti-clumping agent, preventing cheese from sticking together
- It is not sawdust, but cellulose is found in sawdust and wood pulp
- It is legal to label products with cellulose as '100% grated Parmesan'
- Consumers can buy Parmesan in wedges and grate it themselves to avoid cellulose
Grated Parmesan often contains cellulose, a type of dietary fibre
While it is true that grated Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, it is important to clarify that this cellulose is not the same as sawdust. Cellulose is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material, including fruits and vegetables that we regularly consume. Therefore, it is a natural and normal part of our diet. In grated Parmesan cheese, cellulose is added as a functional ingredient to prevent caking and clumping, and to keep the cheese crumbles from sticking together. This allows the product to have a longer shelf life and remain unrefrigerated for extended periods.
The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese has been a topic of debate and legal proceedings. While some argue that labelling a product as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" when it contains cellulose is misleading, others defend the practice by pointing to food law and the specific use of the word "grated". The addition of cellulose is allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which considers it a type of dietary fibre with positive health effects. The FDA allows grated cheese to contain up to 2-4% cellulose, but some brands have been found to exceed this range.
It is worth noting that cellulose is not digestible by humans, but it does provide important functions in our digestive process. However, to avoid cellulose, consumers can opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section, which are 100% cheese with no added ingredients. These cheeses are more expensive due to the longer aging periods required before sale. Alternatively, consumers can purchase a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, allowing them to control the ingredients and add their desired amount of cellulose or other additives.
In summary, grated Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which is a type of dietary fibre derived from plant material. While this practice has sparked debates about labelling and consumer awareness, cellulose is generally recognised as safe and provides functional benefits to the cheese product. Consumers who wish to avoid cellulose can choose alternative forms of Parmesan cheese or grate their own.
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Cellulose is an anti-clumping agent, preventing cheese from sticking together
While it is true that grated Parmesan cheese contains cellulose, it is not the same as saying that sawdust is added to the cheese. Cellulose is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material, including fruits and vegetables that we consume regularly. It is also commonly added to many other food products. Therefore, it is not sawdust that is being added to your Parmesan cheese.
Cellulose is an additive that serves as an anti-clumping agent in grated Parmesan cheese. It prevents the cheese from sticking together and forming a cohesive mass. This is why cellulose is added to grated Parmesan cheese, as it allows the product to have a longer shelf life and remain unrefrigerated for extended periods. Without the addition of cellulose, the cheese would quickly clump together, affecting its texture and making it less appealing to consumers.
The amount of cellulose added to grated Parmesan cheese can vary, but it is typically allowed to be within the range of 2% to 4%. However, some brands have been found to contain higher levels of cellulose. For example, Bloomberg's lab tests revealed that Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contained 8.8% cellulose, while Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart had 7.8% cellulose.
The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese has been a topic of controversy, with some consumers feeling deceived or misled by labels claiming "100% grated Parmesan cheese" while the product contains additional ingredients. While the inclusion of cellulose in small amounts is generally accepted for its functional benefits, the labelling of such products has been a subject of legal debate.
In conclusion, while the cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not literally sawdust, it is an additive that serves a specific purpose. The anti-clumping properties of cellulose are essential to maintaining the texture and shelf life of the product. However, consumers should be aware of the presence of additives and make informed choices based on their preferences and needs.
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It is not sawdust, but cellulose is found in sawdust and wood pulp
It is understandable that the presence of cellulose in Parmesan cheese may be cause for concern, with some even believing that the cheese contains sawdust. However, it is important to clarify that while cellulose is indeed found in sawdust and wood pulp, the cellulose in Parmesan cheese is not sawdust.
Cellulose is a compound found in all plant material, including the fruits and vegetables we regularly consume. It is a type of dietary fibre that has positive health effects, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, if you are looking to add more fibre to your diet, cellulose is a compound you should be looking for.
In the context of Parmesan cheese, cellulose is added as an additive to prevent clumping and to keep the cheese crumbles from sticking together. This is why it is commonly found in grated Parmesan cheese. Without cellulose, the product would need to be refrigerated and would quickly turn into a solid mass.
While the inclusion of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not inherently harmful, the labelling of certain products as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" has been a subject of controversy. In 2018, a court ruled that this labelling was legal, but this decision was overturned in 2020. It is worth noting that the presence of cellulose in small amounts (2-4%) is generally accepted, and some experts even consider it necessary to maintain the quality of the product.
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It is legal to label products with cellulose as '100% grated Parmesan'
The practice of labelling products with cellulose as 100% grated Parmesan is a topic of legal ambiguity. While federal law permits the inclusion of non-cheese ingredients in grated cheese, the absence of explicit mention of cellulose on product labels has sparked controversy and lawsuits.
The controversy surrounding the labelling of grated Parmesan cheese as "100% grated Parmesan" revolves around the presence of cellulose, a filler or additive derived from plant walls. This practice is not new, and cellulose has been used in food products for decades. The issue arises when products are labelled as "100% grated Parmesan" without disclosing the presence of cellulose, leading to allegations of false advertising and misleading consumers.
The legal debate centres on the interpretation of the label "100% grated Parmesan." Some argue that it implies the product is entirely cheese, with no additives, while others contend that it refers specifically to the Parmesan being grated. This ambiguity has resulted in lawsuits against cheese manufacturers and grocers, with plaintiffs alleging that the labelling is deceptive.
In 2016, an executive at Castle Cheese was fined and sentenced to probation for selling grated Parmesan adulterated with cellulose. However, the legal landscape is evolving. A 2018 court decision ruled that it was legal to label products with cellulose as 100% grated Parmesan, but this verdict was overturned in 2020. The full repercussions for cheese companies are still pending, and it remains uncertain whether this will lead to changes in labelling regulations rather than the discontinuation of cellulose use.
It is important to note that cellulose itself is not harmful. It is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material, including fruits and vegetables, and is safe for human consumption. However, the controversy lies in the potential deception of consumers who expect their "100% grated Parmesan" to contain only cheese.
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Consumers can buy Parmesan in wedges and grate it themselves to avoid cellulose
Consumers who want to avoid cellulose in their Parmesan cheese can buy it in wedges and grate it themselves. While cellulose is a safe and common food additive, some people may prefer to avoid it due to its use as a filler or its potential to cause digestive issues.
Parmesan cheese sold in wedges or blocks, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, does not contain cellulose because it is a whole cheese that requires refrigeration and has a shorter shelf life. On the other hand, grated or shredded Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose as an anti-clumping agent to extend its shelf life and prevent caking.
Cellulose is a type of dietary fibre found in plant material, including wood pulp, fruits, and vegetables. While it is not digestible by humans, it is considered safe for consumption and can provide some positive health effects, such as adding fibre to the diet. However, some people may experience digestive issues when consuming dairy products with additives like cellulose.
To ensure they are buying pure Parmesan cheese without cellulose, consumers can look for the Italian variety, Parmigiano-Reggiano, which is legally protected and has the name burned onto its rind. This cheese is made and sold by a strictly controlled group of government-approved cheesemakers in Italy. Alternatively, consumers can purchase whole wheels of American Parmesan cheese from a deli or specialty store and grate it themselves. By choosing these options, consumers can avoid the cellulose found in pre-grated or shredded Parmesan cheese products.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Parmesan cheese is not made with sawdust. However, it does contain cellulose, which is also found in sawdust and wood pulp.
Cellulose is a type of dietary fibre found in all plant material. It is added to grated Parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent to prevent the cheese from sticking together.
Yes, cellulose is safe to consume and is found in many other foods. It is also naturally present in most plant-based foods that we consume, such as fruits and vegetables.
Cellulose is added to grated Parmesan cheese to improve its shelf life and texture. Without additives like cellulose, the cheese would quickly turn into a solid mass.
To avoid cellulose, opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section. These are aged cheeses that do not contain any additives. Alternatively, you can buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it yourself.
