Bushra Griffith
In 2016, the FDA discovered that several major Parmesan cheese brands, including Kraft, were mislabelled and contained wood pulp. While this revelation caused outrage among consumers, it is important to note that wood pulp, or cellulose, is not harmful to health and is commonly used as an anti-clumping agent in grated cheese. The issue at hand is one of false advertising, as consumers expect 100% cheese when purchasing products labelled as 100% Parmesan Cheese. This incident raises questions about the accuracy of food labelling and the potential presence of unexpected ingredients in other products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is wood pulp added to Parmesan cheese? | Yes, wood pulp is added to Parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent. |
| Is wood pulp harmful? | No, there are no known harmful side effects from adding wood pulp to food. |
| Is it legal to add wood pulp to Parmesan cheese? | Yes, it is legal to add wood pulp to Parmesan cheese, and it is often added as a filler to increase the weight of the product. |
| Are companies required to disclose the presence of wood pulp in their products? | Yes, companies are required to list the presence of wood pulp (listed as cellulose) on the ingredient label. |
| Are there concerns about false advertising or mislabeling? | Yes, there have been lawsuits and consumer concerns about false advertising and mislabeling of Parmesan cheese products, with some products claiming to be "100% Parmesan" despite containing wood pulp and other fillers. |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft's '100% Grated Parmesan Cheese' contains wood chips
Kraft's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" has been at the center of a controversy and a potential class-action lawsuit, with claims that the product contains wood chips or cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp. The lawsuit alleges that customers were misled into buying Kraft and Walmart-branded grated Parmesan cheese that was not as advertised.
The controversy arose when tests conducted by Bloomberg in 2016 revealed that several grated Parmesan cheese products on the market contained cellulose, with some registering as high as 8.8%. Kraft's product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, which is made from wood pulp. This discovery sparked outrage and led to legal action against Kraft.
The lawsuit argues that the label "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" is misleading, as it implies that the product contains only cheese, leaving no room for wood chips or cellulose. The plaintiffs, including lead plaintiff Samantha Lewin, claim that they relied on the misleading label when making their purchase and would not have bought the product had they known it contained cellulose.
In response to the allegations, Kraft has denied any wrongdoing and maintained that they are "committed to the quality of our products." The company has faced significant backlash, with consumers expressing their disappointment and even calling for legal action. Some have suggested that the best option is to buy a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it at home, ensuring control over the ingredients.
While the presence of wood chips or cellulose in Kraft's "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" may be unexpected and undesirable to some consumers, it is important to note that cellulose is a common food additive and is not known to have any harmful side effects. Nonetheless, the controversy highlights the importance of accurate labeling and transparency in the food industry to ensure that customers can make informed choices.
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The FDA finds wood pulp in major Parmesan cheese brands
The FDA has found wood pulp, or cellulose, in major Parmesan cheese brands. In 2016, the FDA issued a warning letter to Castle Cheese Inc., which produced Parmesan cheese containing no actual Parmesan for almost 30 years. The company supplied major retailers like Target, and its president was charged and expected to plead guilty, facing up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Bloomberg conducted experiments on store-bought grated cheese to test for wood pulp content and found that many cheeses contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp. 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 had 7.8%. Even Whole Foods, which did not list cellulose as an ingredient, had 0.3% of the filler. Kraft, another well-known brand, had 3.8% cellulose.
The presence of cellulose in these cheese products has sparked controversy and legal action. Consumers and lawyers argue that labelling these products as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" is misleading, as it implies the absence of additional ingredients like cellulose. However, food law allows for this labelling due to the inclusion of the word "grated," which alters the definition according to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
While eating cellulose is not harmful, with no known adverse health effects, the issue highlights the importance of accurate and transparent food labelling. It also underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant about the ingredients in their food, even when products are marketed as "100%" or "pure."
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Wood pulp in Parmesan won't kill you
In 2016, the FDA discovered that some major Parmesan cheese brands, including Kraft, were adulterated with cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp. This revelation sparked controversy and legal action, with consumers feeling outraged and cheated by misleading labels claiming to be "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese". However, despite the deception, it's important to clarify that wood pulp in Parmesan cheese won't kill you.
Firstly, it's essential to understand that cellulose is not the same as wood chips. While it is true that cellulose is derived from wood pulp, it is also found in all plant material, including fruits and vegetables. As Jeff Potter, the author of "Cooking for Geeks", explains, cellulose is a non-digestible plant fiber that is commonly added to food. In fact, it's why people consume bran flakes and psyllium husks. So, while the presence of cellulose in Parmesan cheese may be unexpected and misleading, it is not harmful.
The issue at hand is primarily one of accurate labeling and consumer trust. When companies market their products as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese," they are implying that the product contains only cheese, with no fillers or additives. In reality, these products often contain significant amounts of cellulose, as revealed by Bloomberg's experiments. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contained 8.8% cellulose, while Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese had 7.8% cellulose. This discrepancy between the label and the actual composition of the product is what sparked legal action and consumer outrage.
It's worth noting that the addition of cellulose to food products is completely legal and has no known harmful side effects. However, it is essential for companies to accurately disclose all ingredients and for consumers to be aware of what they are purchasing. The controversy surrounding wood pulp in Parmesan cheese highlights the importance of transparent labeling and consumer education. While it may not cause any health issues, the presence of cellulose in significant amounts can impact the overall quality and authenticity of the product.
In conclusion, while the discovery of wood pulp in Parmesan cheese may be unsettling, it is not a health hazard. Consumers can rest assured that their grated Parmesan cheese, despite its misleading label, will not cause any harm. However, it is essential to hold companies accountable for their labeling practices and ensure that consumers receive the products they expect and deserve.
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Parmesan cheese containing no actual Parmesan
Parmesan cheese, or Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a hard Italian cheese made with raw cow's milk. It is one of the world's most popular and beloved cheeses, known as the "king of cheeses". However, it has been revealed that some companies have been selling Parmesan cheese containing no actual Parmesan.
In 2016, it was discovered that Castle Cheese Inc., a major producer of Parmesan cheese, had been selling cheese containing no actual Parmesan for almost 30 years. The company, which supplied megastores like Target, was charged with aiding the introduction of misbranded and adulterated food into interstate commerce. The president of the company, Michelle Myrter, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation, while the companies involved forfeited a total of $1 million.
Neil Schuman, who runs Arthur Schuman Inc., the largest seller of hard Italian cheese in the US, estimates that about 20% of grated Parmesan cheese on the market is mislabeled. Bloomberg ran experiments on store-bought grated cheese and found that many cheeses contain cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp. 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 had 7.8%. Even Whole Foods, which did not list cellulose as an ingredient, had 0.3% of the filler. Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese was also found to contain cellulose, as well as other illegal ingredients for Parmigiano-Reggiano, such as potassium sorbate and cheese cultures.
The presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not a health hazard, but it does raise concerns about food labelling and consumer trust. People rely on food labels to know what they are feeding their families, and when companies mislabel their products, they are breaking the law. It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential for mislabelling and to buy cheese from reputable sources to ensure they are getting what they pay for.
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Is it misleading to label '100% grated Parmesan cheese' when it includes cellulose?
The phrase "100% grated Parmesan cheese" is misleading to consumers because it contains cellulose, an ingredient derived from wood pulp. While cellulose is a common food additive and completely safe to consume, its presence means that the product is not solely made of Parmesan cheese.
Cellulose is a filler often made from wood pulp, added to grated Parmesan cheese to prevent clumping and give the product more weight. It is important to note that cellulose is not digestible and is found in all plant materials, including fruits, vegetables, and plant fibres like bran flakes and psyllium husks.
In 2016, the FDA discovered that several major Parmesan cheese brands, including Kraft, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco, contained significant amounts of cellulose, with some products having up to 8.8% cellulose content. This led to legal charges and fines for companies misleading consumers with false labelling.
The controversy surrounding the labelling of grated Parmesan cheese as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" has been a subject of debate and legal action. While a judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2018, stating that consumers could check the ingredient list, the verdict was overturned in 2020. The outcome of this lawsuit is still pending, and it may impact how these products are labelled in the future.
It is worth noting that the inclusion of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese is not a health hazard, but it is essential for consumers to have accurate information about the products they are purchasing. To avoid any confusion or deception, consumers can opt to buy whole Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, ensuring they know exactly what is in their food.
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Frequently asked questions
No, no company is grinding up wood chips and mixing them with parmesan cheese. However, cellulose, which is made from wood pulp, is added to grated parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent.
No, there are no known harmful side effects from adding cellulose to food. It is a non-digestible plant fiber that is completely legal to add to food.
Cellulose is added to parmesan cheese as a filler to make the product have more weight and to prevent the cheese from sticking together.
Yes, you can buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself at home.
