Frederic Melton
Plastic cheese, also known as American cheese, is a highly processed food item that has been adapted to melt in a way that real cheese does not. While it is not literally made of plastic, it is often wrapped in plastic, which may expose it to harmful chemicals. The nutritional value of American cheese varies, but it is generally high in sodium and saturated fat, which can have negative health impacts. However, it is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Ultimately, the health effects of consuming American cheese depend on a variety of factors, such as the amount consumed, individual health challenges, and overall diet and exercise habits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic-wrapped cheese | May expose you to harmful chemicals |
| Hazardous plasticizers | Are "lipophilic" and are easily absorbed by substances with high fat content |
| Chemical migration | Occurs constantly, even at room temperature |
| LDPE and PVC plastics | Contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors |
| Benzophenone | An additive linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and organ system toxicity |
| DEHA | A likely endocrine disruptor and carcinogen |
| American cheese | Not 100% cheese, may be a combination of cheese and other products like butter, emulsifiers, preservatives, extra dairy, etc. |
| Cardiovascular health | Cheese is high in saturated fat, which increases "bad" cholesterol |
| Bone health | Cheese contains calcium and phosphorus, which support bone health |
| Prostate cancer | Higher intake of dairy, including cheese, may correlate with a higher risk of prostate cancer |
| Sodium | High sodium content in cheese may contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic wrap contains hazardous plasticizers that are absorbed by fatty foods like cheese
- LDPE and PVC, common plastics used to wrap cheese, contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors
- Individually wrapped cheese slices are often consumed by children and may have a high chemical burden
- American cheese is not 100% cheese and is highly processed, but it's not necessarily unhealthy
- While American cheese is high in sodium, it also provides calcium and phosphorus for bone health
Plastic wrap contains hazardous plasticizers that are absorbed by fatty foods like cheese
Plastic wrap has been found to contain hazardous plasticizers that are absorbed by fatty foods like cheese. Plasticizers are chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable, and they are not inert. This means that when plastic comes into contact with fatty foods, these chemicals can migrate into the food. This process is called "chemical migration".
Cheese, being a fatty food, can readily absorb these migrating chemicals. Two plastics commonly used to wrap cheese, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), have been found to contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors that migrate into cheese at various temperatures. Benzophenone, for example, has been found to migrate into soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses, and is linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and organ system toxicity. PVC is also known to leach vinyl chloride, a carcinogen, into food.
DEHA, another hazardous plasticizer, has been detected in cheese and other foods sold in plastic wrap. Studies have shown that DEHA can cause brain and heart injuries in rats, and it is a likely endocrine disruptor and carcinogen. Individually wrapped cheese slices, which are often consumed by children, are likely to have an especially high burden of chemical leaching due to their high surface-to-volume ratio.
To avoid exposure to these hazardous chemicals, consumers can opt for cheese wrapped in paper, wax, foil, or waxed paper. Soft cheeses can be stored in glass, Pyrex, ceramic, or stainless steel containers. While plastic wrap may be convenient, the potential health risks associated with hazardous plasticizers underscore the importance of exploring safer alternatives for storing fatty foods like cheese.
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LDPE and PVC, common plastics used to wrap cheese, contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors
Plastic-wrapped cheese may expose consumers to harmful chemicals. LDPE and PVC, two commonly used plastic wraps for cheese, have been observed to allow the migration of carcinogens and endocrine disruptors into cheese. LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, has been found to allow the chemical benzophenone to migrate into soft, semi-hard, and hard cheeses across a range of temperatures. Benzophenone is an additive for plastics and is associated with cancer, hormone disruption, and organ system toxicity.
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is known to leach vinyl chloride, a carcinogen, into food products. It also contains DEHA, a likely endocrine disruptor and carcinogen, which has been observed to migrate into cheese in numerous studies. DEHA is particularly concerning as cheese is often consumed in large quantities by children, who are more vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals.
The high fat content of cheese makes it especially susceptible to chemical migration from plastic packaging. Lipophilic plasticizers, which are drawn to and absorbed by fatty substances, are commonly found in plastic packaging and can easily migrate into cheese.
To avoid exposure to these harmful chemicals, consumers can opt for cheese wrapped in paper, wax, foil, or waxed paper. Hard, medium-soft, and individual slices can be safely stored in these materials, while soft cheeses can be stored in glass, Pyrex, ceramic, or stainless steel containers.
The presence of harmful chemicals in plastic food packaging has been well-documented, and the potential health risks are significant. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastic can lead to developmental and reproductive issues and an elevated risk of hormone-related cancers. It is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with plastic-wrapped cheese and to consider alternative packaging options to minimize exposure to harmful chemicals.
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Individually wrapped cheese slices are often consumed by children and may have a high chemical burden
While cheese is a delicious snack, individually wrapped cheese slices are often consumed by children and may have a high chemical burden. Plastic-wrapped cheese may expose consumers to harmful chemicals. Plastic is stable but not inert, and chemicals in plastic may leach into food, especially dairy products, through a process called "chemical migration". This occurs even at room temperature.
The ratio of serving size to packaging also influences the degree of chemical migration, with smaller-sized packaging having a larger surface-to-volume ratio. Individually wrapped cheese slices, which are often consumed in large quantities by children, are likely to have an especially high burden of chemical leaching. Two commonly used plastics in cheese packaging are low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), both of which contain carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. For example, studies have found that the chemical benzophenone migrated from LDPE packaging into cheese at various temperatures, and PVC is known to leach the carcinogen vinyl chloride into food.
The migration of chemicals from plastic packaging into cheese is a cause for concern, especially for vulnerable populations such as children. While the impact of consuming small amounts of these chemicals is unclear, it is advisable to minimise potential exposure to harmful substances, especially for children who are more susceptible to the effects of toxic chemicals due to their developing bodies and lower body weight.
To reduce the risk of chemical exposure, consumers can opt for cheese that is sliced at a deli and wrapped in paper or choose brands that sell packages of sliced cheese with paper between each slice. Hard and medium-soft cheeses can also be wrapped in paper, wax, foil, or waxed paper. While individually wrapped cheese slices may be convenient, it is important to consider the potential health risks associated with the consumption of chemicals from plastic packaging.
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American cheese is not 100% cheese and is highly processed, but it's not necessarily unhealthy
While American cheese is not 100% cheese and is highly processed, it is not necessarily unhealthy. It is a combination of washed curd cheese, granular cheese, and other cheeses for flavour, with at least 51% of its weight coming from these four cheese types. It also contains emulsifying agents to prevent oil separation and additives like salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, and artificial ingredients. The highly processed nature of American cheese gives it a unique melt that real cheese does not have, making it perfect for cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, and breakfast sandwiches.
American cheese does have some nutritional value, but it is also high in sodium, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It is also quite high in saturated fat, which raises "bad" cholesterol. However, studies have not shown a direct link between cheese intake and heart attacks or strokes. The calcium and phosphorus in cheese can also support bone health. The impact of American cheese on health depends on various factors, including the amount consumed, individual health challenges, overall diet, and exercise habits.
The plastic wrapping on individually sliced American cheeses can also be a concern. The high surface-to-volume ratio of these slices increases the likelihood of chemical leaching from the plastic into the cheese. Chemicals like DEHA, found in PVC plastic, are linked to endocrine disruption and carcinogenic effects. Benzophenone, an additive in LDPE plastic, has also been detected in cheese at various temperatures.
While American cheese is not the healthiest option, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Consumers should be mindful of the potential health risks associated with excessive consumption and opt for alternatives when possible, such as part-skim mozzarella, cottage cheese, parmesan, Swiss, or goat cheese.
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While American cheese is high in sodium, it also provides calcium and phosphorus for bone health
Plastic-wrapped cheese may expose consumers to harmful chemicals. Plastic is made from chemicals and fossil fuels, and while it is stable, it is not inert. This means that when it comes into contact with food, the chemicals in the plastic may leach into it, especially dairy products. This process, known as "chemical migration", can occur even at room temperature.
While it is not ground-up recycled plastic bottles, American cheese is often referred to as "plastic cheese". This is because it is a processed cheese, which means that it is not 100% cheese. It is usually around 50% cheese, with the remaining ingredients including salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers, and other artificial ingredients.
Despite its name, American cheese is not completely devoid of nutritional value. It is a good source of calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, all of which are important minerals. These minerals are beneficial for bone health and maintaining bone density.
However, it is also high in sodium, which can be a cause for concern. Excess sodium intake can raise blood pressure and contribute to the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, while American cheese can be a good source of certain minerals, it is important to consume it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
In addition, the highly processed nature of American cheese means that it is usually higher in saturated fat and cholesterol compared to other cheeses. This can further increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Therefore, it is recommended to consume American cheese in moderation and to opt for low-fat cheeses if you are concerned about your health.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic cheese, or processed cheese, is not 100% cheese. It is a combination of cheese and other non-cheese ingredients, such as salt, food dyes, preservatives, extra dairy, emulsifiers, or other artificial ingredients.
The health effects of consuming plastic cheese depend on various factors, including how much you eat, your health, your diet, and your exercise habits. While plastic cheese is a good source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, it is also high in sodium, which can contribute to heart disease and stroke. Additionally, the high saturated fat content can increase "bad" cholesterol, and a high intake of dairy has been correlated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Plastic cheese does not contain plastic, but it may be packaged in plastic, which can leach hazardous chemicals into the cheese. These chemicals can be especially harmful to children who consume plastic-wrapped cheese in large quantities.
If you are looking for healthier options, consider cheeses like part-skim mozzarella, cottage cheese, parmesan, Swiss, or goat cheese. These cheeses have higher nutritional value and lower saturated fat content.
While plastic cheese may not be the healthiest option, it is fine to consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet. It is all about finding a balance and ensuring you are not consuming it excessively or in combination with other high-fat foods.
