Bushra Griffith
Kraft or Velveeta? This has been a long-standing debate, with some preferring Kraft's cheese powder, while others opt for Velveeta's creamy, dreamy cheese. But is Velveeta even made by Kraft? The answer is yes. The brand was purchased by Kraft Foods Inc. in 1927, four years after it was incorporated as a separate company from the Monroe Cheese Company.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Velveeta cheese made by Kraft? | Yes, Velveeta was sold to Kraft in 1927. |
| Who invented Velveeta? | Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company invented Velveeta in 1918. |
| What is Velveeta? | A brand name for a processed cheese similar to American cheese. |
| Where is Velveeta sold? | The United States, Canada, Panama, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Korea. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Velveeta was sold to Kraft in 1927
Yes, Velveeta is made by Kraft. The brand was purchased by Kraft Foods Inc. in 1927, four years after its incorporation as a separate company from the Monroe Cheese Company. The cheese itself was invented in 1918 by cheesemaker Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, New York. He came up with the idea of mixing cheese byproducts with broken cheese bits to form a cheese blend. The name Velveeta was intended to connote a "velvety smooth" product.
Since its acquisition by Kraft, the Velveeta brand has expanded into a line of products, including cheesy bites, macaroni and cheese, and cheesy skillets. In the 1930s, it became the first cheese product to gain the American Medical Association's seal of approval. It was reformulated in 1953 as a "cheese spread", although as of 2002, it is now labelled in the US as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product". This change in labelling was due to a warning letter issued by the FDA, which stated that the product could not be described as a "pasteurized process cheese spread" due to its inclusion of milk protein concentrate (MPC) in the ingredients.
Velveeta is now sold in the US, Canada, Panama, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Korea. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was also sold in the United Kingdom and Germany under the name "Velveta".
Provolone Cheese: Pork-Based or Not?
You may want to see also
It's a processed cheese product
Yes, Velveeta is a processed cheese product made by Kraft. It was invented in 1918 by cheesemaker Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, New York. Frey developed a process of mixing cheese byproducts with broken cheese bits to form a cheese blend. The name Velveeta was chosen to connote a "velvety smooth" product.
In 1923, The Velveeta Cheese Company was incorporated as a separate company, and in 1927 it was purchased by Kraft Foods Inc. Since then, the brand has expanded into a line of products, including cheesy bites, macaroni and cheese, and cheesy skillets.
In the 1930s, Velveeta became the first cheese product to gain the American Medical Association's seal of approval. However, its classification as a cheese product has been a subject of debate. In 2002, the FDA issued a warning to Kraft that Velveeta's packaging falsely described it as a "pasteurized process cheese spread". The issue arose due to the product's inclusion of milk protein concentrate (MPC), which meant it no longer fit the FDA's cheese-related definitions. As a result, Velveeta is now sold in the US as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product", a term not defined by the FDA.
Despite the controversy, Velveeta remains a popular product, marketed by Kraft as an ingredient for dishes such as chile con queso and grilled cheese sandwiches. It is available in various forms, including blocks, slices, and as an ingredient in other foods such as macaroni and cheese.
Cheese Fries: An Annual Snapshot of a Tasty Treat
You may want to see also
It's marketed as an ingredient for grilled cheese sandwiches
Yes, Velveeta is a brand name for a processed cheese product manufactured by Kraft. It was invented in 1918 by cheesemaker Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, New York. In 1927, the Velveeta company was purchased by Kraft Foods Inc.
Velveeta is marketed as an ingredient for grilled cheese sandwiches. It is also used in recipes for chile con queso, macaroni and cheese, and cheesy skillets. The product is known for its smooth, creamy texture and easy meltability. It is often favoured for its convenience and versatility, not requiring users to follow specific recipes or instructions.
Velveeta is available in different varieties, including Swiss and American, and can be purchased with 2% milk. The brand has expanded its product line to include items such as cheesy bites and cheesy skillets. It is sold in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Panama, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Korea.
In terms of its composition, Velveeta has undergone some changes over the years. Initially, it was a blend of broken cheese pieces and cheese byproducts. However, in 2002, the FDA issued a warning to Kraft regarding the product's packaging, which described it as a "pasteurized process cheese spread." Due to the presence of milk protein concentrate (MPC) in the ingredients, it no longer fit the FDA's definitions related to cheese. As a result, Velveeta is now labelled in the United States as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product," a term that remains undefined by the FDA.
Cheddar Cheese's Yellow Color: The Science Behind It
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It's available in the US, Canada, and several other countries
Yes, Velveeta cheese is made by Kraft. The brand has been owned by Kraft since 1927 when the original owners, the Monroe Cheese Company, sold it to them. Velveeta is now available in several countries, including the US, Canada, Panama, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Korea. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was also sold in the United Kingdom and Germany under the name "Velveta".
In the US, Velveeta is marketed as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product". This change in labelling came about after the FDA issued a warning to Kraft in 2002 that the product could not be described as a "pasteurized process cheese spread" due to its inclusion of milk protein concentrate (MPC) in the ingredients.
Velveeta is a popular product, with some consumers preferring it to Kraft's other cheese products. It is often used as an ingredient in dishes such as chile con queso and grilled cheese sandwiches, and it is also marketed as an easy-to-use product that does not require following recipes or specific instructions.
Happy Farms Cheese: Where is it Made?
You may want to see also
It's received criticism for its packaging and ingredients
Velveeta has received criticism for its ingredients and packaging. Although it may resemble, smell and taste like cheese, it is not technically classified as cheese. In 2002, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to Kraft that Velveeta was being sold with packaging that falsely described it as a "pasteurized process cheese spread". The product listed milk protein concentrate (MPC) in its ingredients, which meant it no longer fit any of the FDA's cheese-related definitions.
Velveeta is now sold in the US as a ""pasteurized prepared cheese product", a term not defined by the FDA. However, it is not considered "real cheese" by the FDA, as it is made from whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, milk, fat, and preservatives.
Velveeta was originally made from real cheese, specifically, the runoff waste of imperfect cheese wheels. It was invented by Emil Frey, an employee at the Monroe Cheese Factory, in 1918. He created it as a way to conserve the broken pieces of cheese. The name Velveeta was intended to convey its velvety smooth texture.
In the 1980s, Velveeta used the advertising jingle, "Colby, Swiss and Cheddar, blended all together" in its US television commercials to explain its taste and texture because real cheese was used in the product at that time. However, today, Velveeta is mainly made from whey protein concentrate, milk protein concentrate, milk, fat, and preservatives, with a small amount of cheese culture.
Kraft has since rebranded Velveeta as an ingredient for chile con queso and grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as a dip and sauce.
Troyer Cheese: Cow's Milk Specialty
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Velveeta Cheese Company was purchased by Kraft Foods Inc. in 1927.
Velveeta is a brand name for a processed cheese product similar to American cheese.
Velveeta was invented in 1918 by Emil Frey, a cheesemaker at the Monroe Cheese Company. He mixed cheese byproducts with broken cheese bits to create a cheese blend.
Velveeta is sold in the United States, Canada, Panama, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Korea. It can be purchased from Amazon.com and likely other online and in-person retailers.
