Frederic Melton
Pizza Hut is one of the largest pizza chains in America, and like other pizza restaurants, it uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. Pizza Hut's cheese blend has been a topic of discussion for many, with some sources claiming that the chain uses part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as \pizza cheese\, on most of its pizzas. This type of mozzarella is said to have less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. However, there have been concerns over the ingredients used in Pizza Hut's cheese, with reports suggesting the presence of an industrial chemical. Pizza Hut's cheese supplier has addressed these concerns, stating that they comply with FDA regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella |
| Mozzarella Type | Part-skim |
| Fat Content | Low |
| Supplier | Leprino Foods |
| Cheese Producer | Largest in the world |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat |
| Cheese Sauce Ingredients | Cheese, milk |
| Cheese Sauce Consistency | Thick |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut uses skim milk mozzarella in the USA
In the US, most mozzarella is low-moisture (45-52% water). This type of mozzarella is often sold grated, and it is the most common variety found in grocery stores. It is also the most economical option for pizza chains, as cheese can account for about 40% of a pizza's cost.
Pizza Hut sources its mozzarella from Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella producer. Leprino Foods is based in Colorado and supplies several other major US pizza chains, including Domino's and Papa John's. The company has been criticised for allegedly using polydimethylsiloxane, an unapproved silicone industrial chemical, in its mozzarella. However, Leprino Foods has denied these claims and states that it fully complies with FDA regulations.
Leprino Foods has also demonstrated flexibility in modifying its cheese products to meet the specific needs of its clients. For example, when Pizza Hut switched to a hotter conveyor oven, Leprino Foods altered its mozzarella formula to prevent the cheese from burning at higher temperatures.
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Leprino Foods is Pizza Hut's cheese supplier
Leprino Foods is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world and supplies cheese to Pizza Hut, as well as several other major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. The company is based in Colorado and does not sell retail.
Pizza Hut primarily uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on its pizzas, also known as pizza cheese. This type of mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella and is usually used in American-style pizzas. Leprino Foods changed the formula of the cheese to suit Pizza Hut's hotter conveyor oven so that the cheese would not burn at higher temperatures.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese was reported by the magazine "The Milkwood" in 2006 to contain polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical that is not approved by the FDA for use in food. However, the company denied these claims, stating that they fully comply with FDA regulations.
In addition to Pizza Hut, Leprino Foods also supplies cheese to Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars. The company's president, Mike Durkin, predicts that they will eventually also supply to America's fifth-largest pizza chain, Papa Murphy's.
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Leprino Foods is the world's largest mozzarella producer
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, the world's largest mozzarella producer.
Leprino Foods is a Colorado-based company that supplies cheese to several major US chains and packaged food manufacturers. They are the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world, according to their website.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese is available in part-skim, fat-free, and whole milk varieties. The company has been the target of criticism, with a 2006 report by the magazine "The Milkwood" suggesting that their mozzarella cheese uses polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. However, Leprino Foods has denied these claims, stating that they fully comply with FDA regulations.
Leprino Foods has a competitive advantage due to its low prices, which is significant as cheese accounts for about 40% of a pizza's cost. The company has also demonstrated flexibility in adapting its products to meet the specific needs of its clients, such as changing the formula of Pizza Hut's cheese to prevent burning at higher temperatures and manipulating the product for Domino's to retain its fresh-out-of-the-oven look and taste longer.
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Leprino Foods changed Pizza Hut's cheese formula
Pizza Hut primarily uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. The chain's cheese supplier, Leprino Foods, is a Colorado-based company and the world's largest mozzarella producer. Leprino Foods does not sell its cheese retail, and the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese are not listed. However, Pizza Hut has disclosed that their cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, and whey protein concentrate.
Leprino Foods has also demonstrated flexibility in its business dealings. When Papa John's requested cheese without fillers, Leprino initially provided a new blend that included them. However, after receiving feedback from Papa John's founder John Schnatter, Leprino switched back to the previous blend within two months. This incident highlights Leprino's willingness to work with its clients to meet their specific needs and maintain positive business relationships.
Leprino Foods' ability to adapt its product and business practices has been a key factor in its success as a cheese supplier to major pizza chains. The company's competitive pricing and expertise in creating specialised cheese blends have solidified its position as a leading provider of mozzarella for pizza giants like Pizza Hut.
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Leprino Foods' mozzarella uses polydimethylsiloxane
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. Some of its specialty pizzas contain Parmesan romano cheese. Pizza Hut's cheese supplier, Leprino Foods, is a Colorado-based company and the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods' mozzarella consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese may also contain polydimethylsiloxane, sodium hexametaphosphate, polymetaphosphate, microcrystalline wax, and oxystearin. These additional ingredients may be included as antifoaming agents to facilitate processing. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a silicon-based organic polymer commonly referred to as silicone. It is widely used and can be found in various products, including those in the food industry.
In the context of cheese production, polydimethylsiloxane likely serves as an antifoaming or processing aid. It is added to prevent or break down foam during the manufacturing process, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture in the final product. The use of polydimethylsiloxane in food processing is generally considered safe by regulatory agencies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, some consumers may have preferences for more natural or organic options that do not include such additives.
The inclusion of polydimethylsiloxane in Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese highlights the differences between the chain's mozzarella and regular mozzarella. While Pizza Hut states that its cheese consists of basic ingredients like milk, cheese cultures, and salt, the presence of these additional compounds adds a layer of complexity to the cheese's composition. These additives may be necessary to meet the demands of large-scale production and consistency across Pizza Hut's locations.
It is worth noting that the use of polydimethylsiloxane and other additives in food processing is a subject of discussion and preference. Some individuals may prefer to avoid highly processed foods and seek more natural alternatives. However, the use of these compounds is regulated and considered safe for consumption, ensuring that consumers can make informed choices based on their personal preferences and priorities.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. The cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which is based in Colorado and is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world.
Part-skim mozzarella cheese has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella cheese. It is also known as "low-moisture" mozzarella, which is dried, aged, and sold in blocks instead of balls. It has a longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella.
Some Pizza Hut specialty pizzas contain Parmesan Romano cheese.
