Randy Chandler
In 2016, the FDA issued a warning that some Parmesan cheese products labelled as 100% Parmesan were found to contain cheese substitutes such as wood pulp, with some products containing up to 8.8% cellulose, which is made from wood pulp. This revelation sparked a debate about the accuracy of food labelling and whether the presence of wood pulp in cheese products poses any health risks. While consuming cellulose is not harmful, the practice of adding fillers to cheese to increase profit margins has raised concerns among consumers about the integrity of the food industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presence of wood shavings in Parmesan cheese | Parmesan cheese contains cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp. However, no company is grinding up wood chips and mixing them with Parmesan cheese. |
| Percentage of cellulose in Parmesan cheese | The percentage of cellulose in different brands of Parmesan cheese varies. Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contains 8.8% cellulose, while Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Walmart contains 7.8%. Kraft Parmesan cheese contains between 1.4% and 3.8% cellulose. |
| Reasons for adding cellulose | Manufacturers add cellulose to food products because it is cheap and acts as a filler, increasing the weight of the product. |
| Health effects of consuming cellulose | Consuming cellulose is not harmful and has no known side effects. It is a non-digestible plant fiber that is present in all fruits, vegetables, and plants. |
| Legal status of adding cellulose to Parmesan cheese | In 2018, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against cheese companies, stating that consumers could see that cellulose was listed in the ingredient statement. However, in 2020, a court decided that it was misleading to label a product as "100% grated Parmesan cheese" when it contained other ingredients like cellulose. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kraft's '100% Grated Parmesan Cheese' contains wood chips
- Cellulose is found in all plant material
- Wood pulp is added to cheese as a filler
- The FDA warns that '100% Parmesan' is often filled with cheese substitutes
- A Pennsylvania cheesemaker pleaded guilty to selling '100% grated Parmesan' that was not Parmesan
Kraft's '100% Grated Parmesan Cheese' contains wood chips
Kraft Heinz Food Co. has been at the center of a lawsuit alleging that its "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" contains wood chips. The class-action lawsuit, which consolidated 16 similar cases, claims that the product is falsely and deceptively marketed as it contains nearly 4% filler derived from wood chips, specifically cellulose, which is made from wood pulp.
The controversy surrounding Kraft's grated Parmesan cheese dates back to 2016 when the FDA discovered that some "Parmesan" cheeses were not 100% cheese but blends of other cheeses with cellulose filler. Kraft's product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, an anti-clumping agent that prevents the cheese from sticking together. While cellulose is FDA-approved and considered safe, its presence in a product marketed as "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" has sparked concerns about misleading labeling.
In response to the lawsuit, Kraft Heinz has defended its product, stating that the cellulose levels are within acceptable limits and that the product complies with FDA regulations. The company's spokesperson, Michael Mullen, emphasized that cellulose is a common ingredient in grated cheese products and that Kraft Heinz is committed to product quality.
The outcome of the lawsuit is still pending, and it remains uncertain whether Kraft will face any legal repercussions or be required to modify its labeling practices. However, the controversy has shed light on the broader issue of food labeling accuracy and the potential for deceptive marketing in the industry.
While the presence of wood chips in Kraft's 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese may be surprising to consumers, it's important to note that cellulose is a naturally occurring substance found in all plant material. While it may be unexpected in cheese, cellulose is not harmful and is even a source of dietary fiber. Nevertheless, the incident highlights the importance of transparent and accurate food labeling to ensure consumers' trust and confidence.
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Cellulose is found in all plant material
Several news outlets and food scientists have reported that certain companies selling "100% grated Parmesan cheese" have been involved in a lawsuit. The issue is that these products are not entirely made of Parmesan cheese and contain other ingredients like cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp. While it is true that cellulose is made from wood pulp, it is important to clarify that cellulose is found in all plant material, including fruits, vegetables, and trees. So, while there may be cellulose in your grated Parmesan cheese, it is not accurate to claim that there are wood shavings or sawdust in the product.
Cellulose is a non-digestible plant fiber that provides necessary dietary fiber for humans. It is the main component of a plant's cell wall, giving cells strength and rigidity. While animals do not have cell walls, they do have cellular membranes, allowing for more flexibility. This is why cellulose is not harmful to humans and is even beneficial in providing the fiber we need in our diets.
The controversy surrounding the grated Parmesan cheese is due to misleading labeling practices. While the front of the label may state "100% Parmesan Cheese," the ingredient list on the back may include cellulose or wood pulp. This has led to accusations of false advertising and lawsuits against companies like Kraft, Castle Cheese Inc., and Walmart.
It is important to note that the addition of cellulose to food products is not inherently dangerous or illegal. However, consumers have a right to know what they are consuming and rely on accurate food labels. The lawsuit against the cheese companies is not about the inclusion of cellulose but rather the misleading claim that the product is "100% grated Parmesan cheese" when it contains other ingredients.
The verdict on the lawsuit was initially dismissed in 2018, with a judge stating that consumers could simply read the ingredient statement and see that cellulose was included. However, the verdict was later overturned in late 2020, and the full repercussions for the cheese companies involved are still pending.
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Wood pulp is added to cheese as a filler
The practice of adding wood pulp to cheese, particularly Parmesan cheese, has been the subject of controversy and legal proceedings. Some companies have been accused of mislabelling their products as "100% Parmesan" when they contain significant amounts of cellulose. For example, Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco was found to contain 8.8% cellulose, while Kraft's 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese contained 3.8% cellulose. These companies have faced lawsuits and consumer backlash for misleading labelling practices.
It is worth noting that cellulose is not harmful to human health and is commonly consumed in various forms. It is found in all plant material, including fruits and vegetables, and is a source of dietary fiber. However, the presence of cellulose in cheese products can be problematic when it is used as a substitute for actual cheese, as it may reduce the nutritional value and alter the taste and texture of the product.
While the addition of wood pulp as a filler in cheese may not pose a direct health risk, it is essential for consumers to have accurate information about the products they are purchasing. The controversy surrounding the use of cellulose in cheese highlights the importance of transparent and accurate labelling practices in the food industry. It also underscores the need for regulatory oversight to ensure that consumers can trust the information provided on food labels.
In summary, wood pulp is added to cheese as a filler to increase volume and reduce costs. While cellulose itself is not harmful, its presence in cheese products can be misleading and may reduce the overall quality of the product. This controversy highlights the importance of accurate labelling and regulatory oversight to protect consumer interests and ensure the integrity of the food industry.
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The FDA warns that '100% Parmesan' is often filled with cheese substitutes
The FDA has warned that many products labelled as "100% Parmesan cheese" are filled with cheese substitutes, such as wood pulp. This scandal came to light in 2016, when it was revealed that companies like Castle Cheese had been producing Parmesan cheese containing no actual Parmesan for almost 30 years.
The issue lies in the inclusion of cellulose, an anti-clumping agent made from wood pulp, in the cheese. While cellulose is not harmful to health, its presence in products labelled as "100% Parmesan" is misleading to consumers. In response to the scandal, the FDA issued a warning letter to Castle Cheese Inc., listing cellulose and starch as adulterants in their cheese products.
Bloomberg conducted experiments on store-bought grated cheese to test for wood pulp content and found that many popular brands, including Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, and Kraft, contained significant amounts of cellulose. This has led to lawsuits against several cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, and Jewel-Osco, for mislabelling their products as "100% Parmesan" when they contain other ingredients.
The controversy surrounding the inclusion of cellulose in Parmesan cheese has sparked debates about food labelling regulations. While a judge initially dismissed the lawsuits in 2018, stating that consumers could simply read the ingredient list, the verdict was later overturned in 2020. The outcome of the lawsuits and the potential repercussions for the cheese companies involved are still pending.
It is important to note that not all "100% Parmesan" cheeses contain cellulose, and consumers who wish to avoid it can opt for higher-quality cheeses and grate them themselves. The controversy highlights the importance of transparent and accurate food labelling to ensure consumers are fully informed about the products they purchase.
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A Pennsylvania cheesemaker pleaded guilty to selling '100% grated Parmesan' that was not Parmesan
In 2016, a Pennsylvania cheesemaker, Castle Cheese, was found to be selling "100% grated Parmesan cheese" that was not, in fact, 100% Parmesan cheese. The company, based in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, supplied major retailers like Target. The president and co-owner of Castle Cheese, Michelle L. Myrter, was charged with federal criminal charges on food labelling violations and was scheduled to plead guilty, facing up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
The issue was not with the presence of wood shavings, but with the fact that the product was not 100% cheese. Instead, it was made with a mixture of Swiss, mozzarella, white cheddar, and cellulose, a wood-based additive derived from plant walls that is commonly used as an anti-clumping agent in grated cheese. While cellulose is safe to consume and commonly found in plant-based foods, the issue arose from the misleading labelling of the product as "100% grated Parmesan".
This incident sparked further investigations and lawsuits against other major cheese companies, including Kraft Heinz, Walmart, Jewel-Osco, and Albertsons, whose grated Parmesan cheese products were also found to contain significant levels of cellulose. Tests revealed that Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese from Jewel-Osco contained 8.8% cellulose, while Walmart's Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese had 7.8%. Even Whole Foods, which did not list cellulose as an ingredient, was found to have 0.3% cellulose in their product.
The controversy surrounding the inclusion of cellulose in grated Parmesan cheese has led to ongoing legal battles and class-action lawsuits accusing cheese companies of false advertising. While some argue that the presence of cellulose is acceptable within a certain range (2-4%) to prevent clumping, others believe that labelling a product as "100% grated Parmesan" when it contains significant levels of non-cheese ingredients is misleading to consumers.
As a result of these incidents, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of checking ingredient labels and understanding the true contents of the products they purchase.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are no companies that grind up wood chips and mix them with Parmesan cheese. However, some companies do add cellulose, a filler often made from wood pulp, to their products.
Cellulose is a cheap filler that can make a product heavier and increase its volume. This means that companies can sell more product for less expense.
Yes, it is completely legal to add cellulose to food products. While a court decided it was legal to label products with cellulose as "100% Parmesan Cheese" in 2018, the verdict was overturned in late 2020.
In 2016, Bloomberg ran experiments that found that Essential Everyday 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, Great Value 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, Whole Foods' 365 Everyday Value Grated Parmesan Cheese, and Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese all contained cellulose. Additionally, Castle Cheese Inc. was found to be selling Parmesan cheese containing no actual Parmesan.
Yes, eating cellulose will not kill you. There are no known harmful side effects from adding it to food. In fact, it is a non-digestible plant fiber that is necessary in our food.
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