Randy Chandler
In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered that several cheese companies were adding wood pulp to their products. The companies involved, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Castle Cheese Inc., were advertising their products as 100% grated Parmesan cheese when, in reality, they contained non-dairy fillers like wood pulp, cheaper cheeses, and other additives. This incident sparked widespread skepticism and outrage among consumers, who felt misled and concerned about the integrity of the food they were purchasing. While the presence of wood pulp in cheese may not pose a significant health risk, it raises questions about food safety, consumer fraud, and the accuracy of product labelling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Parmesan Cheese made from wood? | No, but it contains wood pulp in the form of cellulose. |
| What is cellulose? | It is an anti-clumping agent derived from wood pulp and is found in all plant material. |
| Is cellulose harmful? | It is not harmful to health but people should not rely on it as a source of fiber. |
| Why is cellulose added to Parmesan Cheese? | It is a cheap additive that helps save money and mimics the characteristics of luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. |
| Which Parmesan Cheese products contain cellulose? | Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, Whole Foods 365 brand, Kraft, and many others. |
| Is it legal to add cellulose to cheese? | Yes, it is considered a safe additive and acceptable level is 2% to 4%. However, it is illegal to mislabel the product as 100% cheese when it contains other ingredients. |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan cheese products have been found to contain wood pulp
In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated Castle Cheese Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, and found that the company was adding filler ingredients like wood pulp to its "100% real parmesan" products. Following the FDA's findings, Bloomberg investigated other store-bought grated parmesan brands and discovered high percentages of cellulose, or wood pulp, in four different brands. Kraft, for example, had 3.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s product registered 7.8%.
Cellulose is a safe additive, and an acceptable level is 2% to 4%. It is considered a source of dietary fiber and is found in all plant material. It is also an anti-clumping agent, giving body to the cheese and mimicking the characteristics of more luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. It is, however, used to cut costs, as it is much cheaper than real parmesan.
The discovery of wood pulp in cheese is a food safety scandal and a case of consumer fraud. Consumers rely on food labels to tell them what they are feeding their families, and when companies lie about their ingredients, they are breaking the law. Michelle Myrter, President of Castle Cheese, Inc., faced a 3-year legal battle and her company filed for bankruptcy. She was expected to plead guilty to charges of misbranding food and faced steep fines and up to a year in prison.
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The FDA has cracked down on companies selling non-100% Parmesan
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cracked down on companies selling non-100% Parmesan cheese. In 2012, the FDA investigated Castle Cheese Inc., a cheese factory in Pennsylvania, and found that the company was mislabelling its "100% real Parmesan" products. The cheese was found to contain filler ingredients like cellulose, a form of wood pulp used to make paper, as well as cheaper cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella.
Following the FDA's findings, Bloomberg conducted its own investigation and discovered high percentages of cellulose in four different brands of store-bought grated Parmesan cheese. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco was found to contain 8.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese contained 7.8%. Even brands that did not list cellulose as an ingredient, such as Whole Foods 365, still tested positive for low levels of cellulose (0.3%). Kraft's grated Parmesan was found to contain 3.8% cellulose.
The discovery of wood pulp in cheese has raised concerns about food safety and consumer fraud. While cellulose is not considered dangerous and may even be healthy, it is used to stretch out expensive cheese products, reducing costs for manufacturers. This practice misleads consumers who expect to be purchasing pure Parmesan cheese. In the case of Castle Cheese Inc., the company was charged with a misdemeanor count of aiding the introduction of misbranded and adulterated food into interstate commerce, resulting in significant legal consequences.
To address these concerns, the FDA has taken action to ensure that companies selling Parmesan cheese are honest and transparent about their ingredients. This includes enforcing accurate labelling and taking legal action against companies engaging in fraudulent practices. The FDA's efforts aim to protect consumers from being misled and ensure they receive the products they expect when purchasing Parmesan cheese.
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Wood pulp is not dangerous and may even be healthy
The idea that wood pulp is added to Parmesan cheese is not entirely accurate. The controversy surrounding Parmesan cheese and wood pulp stems from the discovery of cellulose, a common food additive, in certain grated Parmesan cheese products. Cellulose is derived from plant sources, including wood pulp, and is used as an anti-clumping agent. While it may be surprising to find wood pulp in cheese, it is not necessarily dangerous and may even offer some potential health benefits.
Firstly, it's important to clarify that cellulose itself is not harmful. It is a type of fiber found in plant material and is considered safe for consumption. In fact, cellulose is often used in laxative products and drinks due to its fiber content. While it may be unexpected to find fiber in cheese, it is not inherently dangerous.
Secondly, the presence of cellulose in food products is quite common. It is added to various processed foods, including pancake syrup, low-fat cookies, and ice cream, to improve texture and mouthfeel without adding calories or fat. This means that people have likely consumed cellulose in many other foods without any adverse effects.
Additionally, the amount of cellulose present in the affected Parmesan cheese products was relatively low. Dean Sommer, a cheese technologist, stated that an acceptable level of cellulose in cheese is 2% to 4%. The products in question were found to contain between 0.3% and 8.8% cellulose, which is not significantly higher than the acceptable range.
While the addition of cellulose to Parmesan cheese may be misleading and a violation of food labeling laws, it is not a significant health concern. In fact, Amy Bentley, a professor in the department of nutrition at New York University, suggested that cellulose could possibly be healthy as it provides fiber. However, she also cautioned that people shouldn't rely on grated cheese as their main source of fiber.
In conclusion, while the discovery of wood pulp in Parmesan cheese may be concerning, it is important to understand that cellulose, the actual additive, is not dangerous and may even offer some nutritional value. However, it is essential to have accurate food labeling and transparency from manufacturers to ensure consumers are fully informed about the products they are purchasing.
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Cellulose is added to food products to cut costs
In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated Castle Cheese Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company, and found that it had been adding wood pulp to its "100% real Parmesan" products. Following the FDA's findings, Bloomberg tested other store-bought grated Parmesan cheese and discovered high percentages of cellulose, or wood pulp, in four different brands. This discovery sparked widespread skepticism and raised questions about the accuracy of food labels.
Cellulose is added to food products, including cheese, to cut costs. Real Parmesan cheese is expensive to make and requires long aging periods before being sold. By adding cellulose, companies can stretch out the pricy cheese and sell more products at a lower cost. Cellulose is also prized for its ability to add body and mimic the characteristics of more luxurious foods without adding calories or fat. It is often used in low-fat cookies, ice cream, and pancake syrup to create a more indulgent texture and mouthfeel. Additionally, cellulose is inherently dry, making it a useful additive in certain food products.
While the discovery of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese may be concerning to consumers, it is not considered a health hazard. Cellulose is a safe additive, and an acceptable level is typically between 2% and 4%. It is a source of dietary fiber and is found in all plant material. However, it is important to note that the presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is an example of misleading labeling practices. When a product is labeled as "`100% grated Parmesan cheese," it implies that it is made entirely of cheese, with no additional ingredients.
To avoid cellulose in Parmesan cheese, consumers can opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section. These are aged cheeses that do not contain the same additives as their grated counterparts. While they may be more expensive, consumers can be assured that they are purchasing a product that is made solely of cheese and does not contain any fillers or additives.
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Consumers are misled by labels claiming 100% grated Parmesan cheese
Consumers are misled by labels claiming "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese". This statement is ambiguous and can be interpreted in multiple ways. It could mean that the product contains 100% cheese, or that 100% of the cheese is Parmesan, or that the Parmesan cheese is 100% grated. However, in reality, these products often contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp, as well as cheaper cheeses like cheddar, Swiss, and mozzarella.
The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not inherently dangerous or unhealthy. It is a safe additive and can even be a source of fiber. However, the issue lies in the misleading labels that do not accurately represent the product's ingredients. Consumers have a right to know what they are purchasing and consuming, and companies that engage in such practices are breaking the law.
In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that Castle Cheese Inc. was doctoring its "100% real Parmesan" with filler ingredients like wood pulp and cheaper cheeses. This sparked a series of lawsuits against food producers and retailers, alleging deceptive advertising and violations of consumer protection laws. Despite this, some judges have dismissed these claims, arguing that the presence of cellulose was disclosed in the ingredient lists, and reasonable consumers would not be confused.
However, appellate judges have disagreed, stating that the question of how reasonable consumers understand such labels is a matter of fact that requires further court proceedings. They argue that the plaintiffs are not demanding changes to the labels but rather seeking to stop companies from voluntarily adding deceptive language. This debate highlights the importance of accurate and transparent food labeling, ensuring that consumers are fully informed about the products they purchase and consume.
To ensure that consumers are not misled, it is essential for companies to provide clear and accurate labels that disclose all ingredients, even if they are permitted additives. While cellulose may be safe, its presence in products like Parmesan cheese should be clearly indicated to uphold the principle of informed consumer choices. This incident serves as a reminder to consumers to carefully read ingredient labels and be cautious of ambiguous marketing claims.
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Frequently asked questions
No, parmesan cheese is not made from wood. However, it may contain cellulose, a safe additive derived from wood pulp.
Cellulose is a cheap additive that allows companies to sell more product for less expense. It adds body and mimics the characteristics of luxurious foods without adding calories or fat.
Yes, cellulose is not dangerous and may even be a good source of fiber.
If you want to avoid cellulose, opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section, instead of pre-grated options.
