Patrick Oconnell
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are individually wrapped slices of processed cheese product. Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese, as they contain less than 51% cheese. The product is a combination of milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, and other ingredients like sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract. Kraft Singles are a popular choice for sandwiches and grilled cheese due to their convenience and ability to deliver an epic cheese pull.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kraft Singles |
| Manufacturer | Kraft Heinz |
| Year Introduced | 1950 |
| Individually Wrapped | Yes |
| Ingredients | Cheddar Cheese, Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Skim Milk, Milkfat, Whey, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Modified Food Starch, Lactic Acid, Oleoresin Paprika, Natamycin, Cheese Culture, Annatto |
| Contains Less Than 2% | Modified Food Starch, Salt, Lactic Acid, Oleoresin Paprika, Natamycin, Enzymes, Cheese Culture, Annatto |
| Label | Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product |
| Palm Oil | 17% (Lidl's Milbona Cheezy Singles) |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Singles ingredients
Kraft Singles, introduced in 1950, are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They are individually wrapped slices that are formed separately during manufacturing, rather than being cut from a block of cheese.
Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese. To be classified as cheese, a product must be made from at least 51% cheese, whereas Kraft Singles are made from less than 51% real cheese. Kraft Singles are therefore more accurately described as a cheese food product.
Kraft Singles are made from a blend of cheeses that have been melted together, along with a few other ingredients. The full list of ingredients is not always clear, but some sources provide a list of ingredients that includes:
- Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes)
- Skim milk
- Milkfat
- Milk
- Milk protein concentrate
- Whey
- Calcium phosphate
- Sodium phosphate
- Modified food starch
- Lactic acid
- Oleoresin paprika (colour)
- Natamycin (a natural mould inhibitor)
- Cheese culture
- Annatto (colour)
Kraft Singles are a popular product, with around 40% of households in the United States continuing to buy them. However, their popularity has not changed much since their introduction, with sales remaining flat.
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Kraft Singles history
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices" and were not initially wrapped individually. However, in August 1956, an American engineer named Arnold Nawrocki developed a machine that allowed for the individual wrapping of cheese slices, revolutionizing the product's packaging and marketing. Kraft Singles were not introduced as an individually wrapped cheese slice product until 1965.
The product is formed separately during manufacturing and do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" labeling as the percentage of milkfat in the product that comes from added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%. Until 2002, Kraft used the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food", which allowed for a greater percentage of added dairy. However, after a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk in the recipe with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive, the FDA warned that Kraft could no longer use that label. Kraft complied and changed the label to the current "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product".
Kraft Singles are not considered actual cheese as they contain less than 51% cheese. Instead, they are a processed amalgamation of pasteurized milk by-products. Despite this, Kraft Singles remain popular, with around 40% of households in the United States continuing to buy them as of 2019. In 2023, Kraft updated its packaging with a new design and an easier-to-open wrapper. In January 2024, the company introduced three new flavors: Caramelized Onion, Jalapeño, and Garlic & Herb.
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Kraft Singles packaging
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices" and have since become a staple in many households. The individually wrapped "slices" are formed separately during manufacturing and are not slices cut from a block of cheese.
Kraft Singles are not considered "real" cheese, as they contain less than 51% cheese. Due to this, they cannot be legally classified as cheese and are instead labelled as a "'cheese food product'. The product is made from a processed amalgamation of pasteurized milk by-products and other ingredients, including milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract. The full list of ingredients can be found on the Kraft Singles packaging.
The packaging for Kraft Singles has undergone changes over the years. Initially, the slices were not wrapped individually, but this changed in 1965 when American engineer Arnold Nawrocki developed a machine to wrap the slices. This revolutionised the product's packaging and marketing, and Kraft Foods became synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices. In 2023, Kraft updated their packaging again, featuring updated branding and an easier-to-open wrapper.
Kraft Singles have faced challenges with their labelling due to formulation changes. In December 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that they could no longer use the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food" because the product contained milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product". Despite the changes in labelling and packaging, Kraft Singles remain a popular and convenient option for those craving an epic cheese pull.
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Kraft Singles nutritional value
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. They were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices" and have since become synonymous with individually wrapped cheese slices. However, it's important to note that Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese because they contain less than 51% cheese. Instead, they are a processed amalgamation of pasteurized milk by-products.
In terms of nutritional value, Kraft Singles do not qualify for the "Pasteurized Process Cheese" label as the percentage of milkfat from added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%. The FDA warned Kraft about this in 2002, and the company complied by changing the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product". Despite this, Kraft Singles contain no vegetable oil or other non-dairy fats, and each slice contains five ounces of milk, giving it a better taste than imitation cheese slices made with vegetable oil and water.
The processing of Kraft Singles allows them to have a longer shelf life and a distinctive, gooey texture. They are also a source of calcium, with two slices providing more than 1/3 of your daily intake. However, it's worth noting that these cheese slices also contain colours and additives, which may contribute to their appeal and taste.
While Kraft Singles may not be classified as cheese, they have become a staple in many households, with around 40% of households in the United States continuing to buy them. The convenience and taste of these processed cheese slices have likely contributed to their popularity, despite the lack of innovation or evolution since their invention in the early 1940s.
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Other cheese singles brands
Kraft Singles are the most popular cheese singles in the United States. However, there are several other cheese singles brands available in the market.
Easi-Singles
Easi-Singles are made by the Kerry Group, which also manufactures cheese singles for other brands such as Calvita, Galtee, Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco. Easi-Singles are made from whey, potato starch, milk protein (casein), and calcium phosphate.
Aldi
Aldi offers two cheese singles options: Emporium Cheesy Singles and Happy Farms American Cheese Singles. Emporium Cheesy Singles are made by the Kerry Group and contain 17% palm oil and emulsifying salts. Happy Farms American Cheese Singles have a shiny texture, a canned cheese flavor, and a liquidy sheen when melted.
Lidl
Lidl's Milbona Cheezy Singles are made at the Kerry Group's facility in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. They have similar ingredients to Easi-Singles, with the addition of palm oil and specific emulsifying salts listed.
Sargento
Sargento's sliced Provolone cheese singles are made with milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and natural smoke flavor. They have 70 calories per slice, with 5 grams of fat and 135 mg of sodium.
Applegate
Applegate cheese singles are made with basic ingredients: milk, cheese culture, salt, and non-animal enzymes. They have slightly higher calories and fat content but lower sodium compared to other brands.
Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic offers American cheese singles with a rich and less synthetic taste. They are made with organic milk, cheese culture, salt, vegetarian enzymes, organic butter, water, and sodium citrate.
Crystal Farms
Crystal Farms is an American dairy company that describes its American cheese product as a "processed deli cheese." Their cheese singles have a long shelf life and are suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Boar's Head
Boar's Head American cheese is a deli counter favorite, offering fresh cheese slices wrapped in thin paper.
Other brands that offer cheese singles include Great Value (Walmart), Cabot Creamery, Borden, Cooper Sharp White (East Coast), and Land O'Lakes Extra Melt (Southwest).
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese singles are made of a mixture of cheeses that have been melted together with a few other ingredients. They are individually wrapped slices of processed cheese product.
The ingredients in cheese singles include milk, whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
Cheese singles are not legally considered cheese as they contain less than 51% cheese. They are classified as a ""Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product" or a ""cheese food product".
