Randy Chandler
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. Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese and are more accurately described as a cheese food product. So, what are Kraft Singles made of?
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Singles ingredients
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 despite their flavour and appearance, they are not technically considered cheese. In fact, they cannot be labelled as "Pasteurized Process Cheese" because the percentage of milkfat in the product that comes from added dairy ingredients is greater than 5%.
The ingredients in Kraft Singles include:
- Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes)
- Skim milk
- Milkfat
- Milk
- Milk protein concentrate
- Whey
- Calcium phosphate
- Sodium phosphate
- Modified food starch
- Salt
- Lactic acid
- Oleoresin paprika (colour)
- Natamycin (a natural mould inhibitor)
- Enzymes
- Cheese culture
- Annatto (colour)
These ingredients make Kraft Singles a "cheese food product" rather than cheese. The product is less than 51% real cheese, which is why it cannot be labelled as such. Kraft Singles are formed separately during manufacturing and are then individually wrapped.
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Kraft Singles are not real cheese
Kraft Singles, the individually wrapped slices of cheese, are a staple in many households. They are a convenient and tasty addition to sandwiches and grilled cheese. However, despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not considered real cheese.
Kraft Singles are a brand of processed cheese product manufactured and sold by Kraft Heinz. Introduced in 1950, these slices are formed separately during manufacturing and are not slices off a block of cheese. The product went through a formulation change in 2002, after which the FDA warned that Kraft could no longer use the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food". This was because the percentage of milkfat in the product that came from added dairy ingredients was greater than 5%, and the recipe included milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. As a result, Kraft changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product".
According to the FDA, Kraft Singles are considered "pasteurized processed American cheese food". This is because each slice contains less than 51% pressed curds of milk, which means it does not meet the FDA standards for being classified as "cheese". Real cheese is typically made from milk, rennet, and salt, whereas Kraft Singles contain a variety of other ingredients, including whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
The creation of Kraft Singles is often attributed to J.L. Kraft, who was looking to get rid of older cheeses. He patented the process of combining unusable pieces of cheese with other ingredients to create a new product. While Kraft Singles may not be considered traditional cheese, they are still enjoyed by many for their melting capabilities and convenience.
In recent years, there has been a push for a higher-quality alternative to Kraft Singles, with some companies offering "New School American Cheese" made with simple, recognisable ingredients like aged cheddar, cream, butter, salt, and spices.
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Kraft Singles history
Kraft Singles were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices". The founder of Kraft Foods, James L. Kraft, received a patent for "process cheese" in 1916, which was a sterilized product made by heating cheddar at 175 degrees for 15 minutes while whisking continuously. This helped increase the shelf life of cheese and transformed Kraft's company into a cheese empire.
Kraft Singles are not slices off a block but are formed separately during manufacturing. They are a mixture of other cheeses that have been melted together. Kraft Singles were not introduced as individually wrapped cheese slices until 1965. An American engineer, Arnold Nawrocki, developed a machine in August 1956 that wrapped a "slicelike slab of cheese in a transparent, pliant wrapper", revolutionizing the packaging and marketing of the product.
Kraft Singles 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%. In December 2002, the FDA warned Kraft that they could no longer use the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food" due to a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk in the recipe with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product".
In 2023, Kraft updated its packaging with a new design and an easier-to-open wrapper. In January 2024, Kraft introduced three new flavors: Caramelized Onion, Jalapeño, and Garlic & Herb.
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Kraft Singles packaging
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 sliced from a block.
The product was initially introduced as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices" and was not wrapped individually. It was only in August 1956 that an American engineer, Arnold Nawrocki, developed a machine to wrap the slices separately, revolutionizing the product's packaging and marketing. In 1965, Kraft finally introduced its individually wrapped cheese slices.
The Kraft Singles packaging has undergone changes over the years, with the company updating its branding and wrapper design in 2023 to make it easier to open. The product's labeling has also evolved due to regulatory requirements. Initially, Kraft used the label "Pasteurized Process Cheese Food," which allowed for a higher percentage of added dairy. However, in 2002, the FDA issued a warning that Kraft could no longer use this label due to a formulation change that replaced some of the non-fat milk with milk protein concentrate, which is not a permitted additive. As a result, Kraft complied and changed the label to "Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product."
The Kraft Singles packaging, with its distinctive updated branding and easy-to-open wrapper, continues to be a convenient and recognizable feature of the product, contributing to its popularity among consumers.
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Kraft Singles sales
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. Despite their flavour and appearance, Kraft Singles are not legally considered cheese due to their ingredients. Real cheese is made primarily from milk, rennet, and salt, whereas Kraft Singles contain additional ingredients like milk protein concentrate, milkfat, whey, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid, and paprika extract.
In terms of sales, Kraft Singles have faced challenges in recent years. According to Peter Cotter, the general manager of cheese and dairy at Kraft Heinz Co., sales of Kraft Singles have stagnated. The brand attributes this stagnation to the product's meltability, claiming that its smooth texture and melt are unique compared to natural cheeses. However, vegan and dairy-free alternatives have gained popularity, providing consumers with healthier and meltable options.
Kraft Singles have also struggled to appeal to younger, health-conscious consumers, who are increasingly opting for artisanal dairy-based cheeses or vegan products. As a result, grocery store prices for American cheese have fallen below $4 per pound for the first time since 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Bloomberg reports a projected 1.6% decline in sales for the market's fourth consecutive year.
Despite these challenges, Kraft Singles remain a staple for many, and around 40% of households in the United States continue to purchase the product. In 2023, Kraft updated its packaging for Kraft Singles, featuring a new branding design and an easier-to-open wrapper. This update demonstrates the brand's ongoing efforts to adapt and remain competitive in the evolving cheese market.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Singles are made from a mixture of cheeses that have been melted together, along with other ingredients, and formed into individual slices. They are considered a "cheese food product" 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%.
The ingredients in Kraft Singles include:
- Cheddar cheese (cultured milk, salt, enzymes)
- Skim milk
- Milkfat
- Whey
- Milk protein concentrate
- Calcium phosphate
- Sodium phosphate
- Modified food starch
- Salt
- Lactic acid
- Oleoresin paprika (colour)
- Natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
- Cheese culture
- Annatto (colour)
Kraft Singles are not considered "real cheese" as they contain less than 51% real cheese. Real cheese is made primarily from milk, rennet, and salt, whereas Kraft Singles contain a variety of other ingredients.
Kraft Singles were introduced in 1950 as "Kraft De Luxe Process Slices". They were not individually wrapped until 1965 when Kraft introduced the now-iconic easy-to-open packaging.
