Andy Montoya
Kraft Parmesan cheese is a popular product, but its authenticity as Parmesan has been questioned. In the United States, the term Parmesan is not regulated, leading to confusion and potential misrepresentation. While Kraft's product is made with similar methods to traditional Parmesan, it falls short in taste and quality. The inclusion of certain additives and the lack of regulation in the US have led to its removal from European markets.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese |
| Manufacturer | Kraft |
| Weight | 8oz |
| Availability | Target |
| Ingredients | Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Cellulose Powder, Potassium Sorbate, Cheese Cultures |
| Allergens | Milk |
| Nutritional Information | High in calories, saturated fat and sodium |
| Food Score | Low processing concerns |
| Legality | Legally sold as Parmesan in the US, not in Europe |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Parmesan is not considered 'real' Parmesan in the EU
Kraft Foods is a major North American producer of grated "Parmesan" and has been selling it since 1945. Kraft Parmesan is considered real Parmesan in the US, where the word "Parmesan" is not regulated. In the US, a cheese labelled as Parmesan might be genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano, but it is more likely to be an imitation.
However, in the European Union, the word "Parmesan" is defined by law to be only genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano made according to Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata (D.O.C.) regulations. Therefore, within the European Union, Parmesan and Parmigiano-Reggiano are considered the same cheese. As a result, Kraft Parmesan is not considered real Parmesan in the EU.
In 2008, an EU court determined that the name Parmesan in Europe only refers to Parmigiano Reggiano and cannot be used for imitation Parmesan. Parmigiano Reggiano is a protected designation of origin (PDO) and is legally defined as cheese manufactured in a limited area in northern Italy. To be called Parmesan, European regulations require the cheese to be produced in Parma or Reggio Emilia.
Parmigiano Reggiano is highly regulated, and each wheel must meet strict criteria early in the aging process to merit the official seal and be placed in storage for aging. The seals also identify the product as authentic, with the identification number of the dairy, the production month and year, a code identifying the individual wheel, and stamps regarding the length of aging.
Parmesan fraud is a growing issue in today's cheese market, and American labels have been found to be misleading. For example, in one case, a Pennsylvania manufacturer's grated cheese labelled "Parmesan" was found to be made from a mixture of other cheeses and cellulose, with no Parmesan cheese used in its manufacturing.
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Kraft Parmesan is made with additional ingredients not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano
Kraft Parmesan cheese is made with additional ingredients not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano. In the United States, the term "Parmesan" is not regulated, and the product labelled as such may be an imitation. Parmigiano-Reggiano, on the other hand, is strictly regulated by Italian D.O.C. laws, which allow this cheese to contain only three simple ingredients: milk, salt, and rennet.
Kraft Parmesan cheese, often referred to as "imitation" Parmesan, includes ingredients such as cellulose powder, potassium sorbate, and cheese cultures, which are not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano and are, in fact, illegal in its production. These additional ingredients give Kraft Parmesan a distinct texture and taste, which some may find unappealing compared to the authentic Italian cheese.
The inclusion of cellulose powder in Kraft Parmesan has been a point of contention, with some describing the product as having a "'sawdust-like consistency.'" This additive is likely responsible for the powdery texture that sets it apart from the traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano. Potassium sorbate, another ingredient unique to Kraft Parmesan, is a preservative commonly used to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria in food products.
The difference in ingredients and production methods between Kraft Parmesan and Parmigiano-Reggiano results in noticeable variations in taste and quality. While Kraft Parmesan may be a convenient and affordable option for some dishes, it lacks the depth of flavour and authenticity of its Italian counterpart. This distinction has led to confusion and disappointment among consumers, especially when using Kraft Parmesan as a substitute for Parmigiano-Reggiano in recipes.
The lack of regulation around the term "Parmesan" in the United States has allowed for the proliferation of imitation cheeses, with Kraft Parmesan being a prominent example. This has sparked discussions about food labelling and consumer awareness, with some advocating for better protection of food brands and origins, as is the case with Italian D.O.C. regulations.
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Kraft Parmesan is made in the US
Kraft Parmesan is made using the same process as Parmigiano-Reggiano, but the difference in location means that it is considered an imitation. Additionally, Kraft Parmesan contains ingredients that are not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano, such as cellulose powder, potassium sorbate, and cheese cultures, which are illegal in the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The lack of regulation around food labelling in the US contributes to the confusion surrounding Kraft Parmesan. While it is labelled as 100% grated, it is not clear if this refers to the amount of "parmesan" or simply the fact that it is grated. This ambiguity has led to consumer confusion and concerns about misrepresentation.
Despite not being considered "real" Parmesan, Kraft Parmesan has its own unique taste and is a popular choice for those who grew up with it. It is often used on cheap pizza and pasta, while the higher-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano may be reserved for dishes like alfredo sauce and chicken parm.
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Kraft Parmesan is 100% grated
Kraft Parmesan is an imitation Parmesan. It is made in a similar way to Parmigiano-Reggiano, but it does not taste as good. It is made with additional ingredients that are not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano, such as cellulose powder, potassium sorbate, and cheese cultures. Kraft was legally forced to stop selling its cheese labelled as Parmesan in Europe. However, it is still available in the US, where it is popular due to its low price and familiarity.
While Kraft Parmesan may not be of the same quality as Parmigiano-Reggiano, it is not necessarily a bad product. Some people may prefer the taste of Kraft Parmesan, especially if they grew up with it. It is also a more affordable option than genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano. Additionally, it is important to note that even high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano can vary in taste depending on factors such as the milk used and the climate where it is produced.
Kraft Parmesan has been the subject of controversy due to its labelling. Some consumers have been confused by the label "Kraft 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese", as it is unclear if this means the product is 100% Parmesan or simply 100% grated. This ambiguity has led to accusations of misrepresentation, as consumers may believe they are buying a product that is entirely Parmesan cheese when that may not be the case.
In conclusion, while Kraft Parmesan may be 100% grated, it is not 100% Parmesan cheese. It is an imitation product that is popular in the US due to its low price and familiarity. While it may not have the same quality as genuine Parmigiano-Reggiano, it can still be enjoyed by those who prefer its taste or are looking for a more affordable option. However, clear and accurate labelling is important to ensure that consumers are not misled about the products they are purchasing.
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Kraft Parmesan has low processing concerns
Kraft Parmesan cheese is a product of Kraft Heinz, which was sued in 2016 for labelling its "100% Grated Parmesan Cheese" product misleadingly. The product was found to contain 3.8% cellulose, a filler derived from wood chips, which is an FDA-approved anti-clumping agent. While cellulose is considered safe and is used in many food products, its presence in Kraft's Parmesan cheese means that the product is not, in fact, 100% Parmesan cheese.
Despite this controversy, Kraft Parmesan has low processing concerns. According to EWG's Food Scores, which rates over 80,000 foods to help consumers shop smarter and eat healthier, Kraft Parmesan cheese has been given a low processing concern rating. This means that the product has fewer artificial ingredients and more ingredients that are either whole foods or minimally processed.
The EWG's scoring system takes into account three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and the degree of processing. While nutrition is generally the most important factor, followed by ingredient concerns, the degree of processing is also considered. In the case of Kraft Parmesan cheese, the product has been found to have a low degree of processing, which contributes to its overall low processing concern rating.
It is important to note that, while Kraft Parmesan cheese may have low processing concerns, it is still a highly processed cheese product. Cheese, in general, is a significant source of saturated fat, sodium, and calories in the American diet. Additionally, antibiotics and hormones are often used in dairy production, which can have public health and animal welfare implications.
In conclusion, while Kraft Parmesan cheese may have a low processing concern rating from EWG's Food Scores, it is essential to consider the overall processing and ingredients of cheese products when making informed purchasing decisions.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Parmesan Cheese is made of real cheese, but it is not considered a real parmesan cheese. In the US, the word "Parmesan" is not regulated, and the product may be an imitation of the traditional Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Kraft Parmesan Cheese is produced outside of Italy and contains additional ingredients not found in Parmigiano-Reggiano, such as cellulose powder, potassium sorbate, and cheese cultures. These ingredients are illegal in the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano.
In 2008, European courts decreed that Parmigiano-Reggiano is the only hard cheese that can legally be called Parmesan. Kraft Parmesan Cheese is not produced in Italy and does not adhere to the traditional methods and ingredients used in making Parmigiano-Reggiano.
