Parmesan Cheese: Cardboard Or Not?

In 2016, the revelation that some 100% Parmesan cheese products contained cellulose—a filler often made from wood pulp—caused a scandal. While the addition of cellulose to food has no known harmful side effects, companies that mislabelled their products broke the law. The scandal involved several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese, and resulted in a lawsuit. The companies involved were accused of selling 100% grated Parmesan cheese that was made from cheaper Swiss, mozzarella, and white cheddar cheeses, as well as cellulose filler.

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Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese sued over 100% grated Parmesan

Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese, have been involved in a lawsuit over their "100% grated Parmesan cheese" products. The lawsuit alleges that these companies engaged in "unlawful, deceptive, and misleading business practices" by falsely advertising their products as being made solely of Parmesan cheese when they, in fact, contained fillers.

The controversy revolves around the presence of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese. Cellulose is an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp and is added to prevent the product from sticking together. While the original product labels listed cellulose as an ingredient, the front labels stated simply "100% Parmesan Cheese," leading consumers to believe that the product contained nothing but Parmesan cheese.

In 2018, a court ruled that this labeling practice was legal. However, this verdict was overturned in late 2020 by a federal appeals court, which found that it was unreasonable to expect consumers to rely on fine print on the packaging. The court revived the lawsuits against the aforementioned companies, accusing them of false advertising and misleading labeling practices.

It is important to note that the lawsuit is not about companies grinding up wood chips and mixing them with Parmesan cheese. Instead, the issue is the misleading nature of the product labels, which suggest that the product is made entirely of Parmesan cheese without clearly disclosing the presence of fillers like cellulose. As a result of this controversy, consumers who wish to avoid cellulose can opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section, which are 100% cheese with no additives.

Cellulose is added to prevent clumping and as a cheap filler

While it is not accurate to claim that cardboard is added to Parmesan cheese, there is some truth to the reports that certain cheese companies have been involved in a lawsuit over their "100% grated Parmesan cheese". This controversy revolves around the presence of cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp, in their products.

Cellulose is added to grated or shredded Parmesan cheese as an anti-clumping agent and a cheap filler. Without additives like cellulose, Parmesan cheese would quickly turn into a solid mass. By including cellulose, manufacturers can ensure that their product remains in a grated or shredded form and can be sold as a convenient, ready-to-use option for consumers.

The addition of cellulose also has economic benefits for cheese companies. Parmesan cheese is an expensive product, and by bulking it out with cellulose, companies can stretch the cheese and sell more of it at a lower cost of production. This practice, however, has been deemed misleading and deceptive by consumers and experts alike.

While the addition of cellulose does not pose any known health risks, the issue lies in the inaccurate labelling of these products as "100% grated Parmesan cheese". The inclusion of the word “grated” allows these products to circumvent food laws and regulations, as a product labelled as simply “100% cheese” would be required to contain only cheese and no other additives.

To avoid cellulose in your Parmesan cheese, it is recommended to purchase wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section. These are aged cheeses that do not contain any additives and are sold as whole blocks that can be grated at home.

The FDA found no Parmesan in some 100% grated Parmesan products

In 2016, the FDA discovered that some 100% grated Parmesan cheese products contained no Parmesan cheese at all. The FDA's report on Castle Cheese Inc. revealed that the company's Market Pantry brand 100% grated Parmesan Cheese, sold at Target Corp., and Always Save Grated Parmesan Cheese and Best Choice 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, supplied by Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., did not contain any Parmesan cheese. Instead, these products were found to be a mixture of Swiss, mozzarella, white cheddar, and cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp.

The discovery of non-Parmesan ingredients in grated Parmesan cheese products sparked outrage among consumers and led to legal consequences for the companies involved. It was revealed that by adding cellulose, companies could save money as cellulose is much cheaper than real Parmesan cheese. By stretching out the pricey cheese with cellulose, companies could sell more products at a lower cost.

While the addition of cellulose to food products is legal and does not pose any known health risks, the issue lies in the misleading labelling of these products as "100% grated Parmesan." Consumers rely on accurate food labels to know what they are purchasing and feeding their families. As a result of the FDA's findings, Castle Cheese Inc. was charged with a misdemeanor count of aiding the introduction of misbranded and adulterated food into interstate commerce.

It is important to note that not all grated Parmesan cheese products are adulterated, and consumers can take steps to avoid products with unwanted additives. Checking ingredient lists and opting for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section can ensure consumers are purchasing pure Parmesan cheese. Additionally, consumers can choose to grate their own cheese at home, allowing them to control the ingredients used.

While the discovery of non-Parmesan ingredients in some 100% grated Parmesan products was concerning, it is reassuring to know that consuming cellulose is not harmful. However, it underscores the importance of accurate labelling and transparency in the food industry to uphold consumer trust and confidence.

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The lawsuit is unlikely to stop the use of cellulose, but will change labelling

The controversy surrounding the presence of cellulose in parmesan cheese has sparked concerns among consumers. While some companies have been accused of mislabelling their products as "100% grated parmesan cheese", the issue is not as straightforward as claiming that cardboard or wood chips are being added to the cheese. Instead, the focus is on cellulose, an additive that serves as an anti-clumping agent and is derived from plant material.

Cellulose is commonly used in grated or shredded parmesan cheese to prevent the product from turning into a solid mass over time. It is important to note that cellulose itself is not harmful to consume and is a source of dietary fibre. However, the issue lies in the accurate labelling of products to ensure consumers are aware of what they are purchasing.

Several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Albertsons, SuperValu, and Icco Cheese, have faced a lawsuit over their mislabelling of grated parmesan cheese products as "100%." While a court initially ruled in 2018 that this labelling was legal, the decision was overturned in 2020. This ruling is expected to impact how companies label their products in the future, rather than eliminating the use of cellulose altogether.

The addition of cellulose to cheese products is driven by cost considerations. By stretching out expensive cheeses like parmesan with cheaper cellulose, companies can increase their profit margins. However, this practice breaks the law when it comes to misbranding and adulterating food. As a result, companies involved in the lawsuit are facing significant financial repercussions.

While the lawsuit is unlikely to eradicate the use of cellulose in grated cheese, it will likely lead to more transparent labelling practices. Consumers who wish to avoid cellulose can opt for wedges of Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano sold in the cheese section, which are aged cheeses that do not contain additives. In conclusion, while the controversy surrounding cellulose in parmesan cheese is understandable, it is important to separate exaggeration and deception from fact and focus on accurate labelling to ensure consumer awareness and informed choices.

Consumers rely on accurate labels, and companies that lie are breaking the law

The addition of cellulose to food products is common and generally recognized as safe by the FDA. It serves as a filler, adding bulk to the product, and helps to prevent clumping, keeping the grated cheese free-flowing. However, the issue at hand is not the presence of cellulose itself but the misleading labels claiming the products to be "100% grated Parmesan cheese". Consumers expect that a product labelled as such would contain only cheese, with no other additives or fillers.

The revelation of adulterated Parmesan cheese sparked outrage among consumers, who felt deceived and concerned about the accuracy of food labels. In response to the scandal, some consumers may choose to buy blocks of Parmesan cheese and grate it themselves, ensuring they know exactly what they are consuming. Others may opt for more expensive, aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, which are sold as wedges in the cheese section and do not contain additives like cellulose.

While the addition of cellulose to food products is not inherently harmful to consumers' health, the incident highlights the importance of accurate labelling and the consequences of companies misleading their customers. As a result of the scandal, the companies involved faced legal repercussions, with Castle Cheese Inc.'s president, Michelle Myrter, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of aiding the introduction of misbranded and adulterated food into interstate commerce. The companies were required to forfeit a total of $1 million, and the incident served as a reminder that consumers have the right to know exactly what they are purchasing and consuming.

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