Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is a popular ingredient found in many households. However, there has been some debate over whether or not it is considered real cheese. Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and process used to make Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese.
What Is Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese?
Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is a type of cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It is aged for several months to develop its distinctive flavor and then grated into small pieces for easy use in recipes.
Ingredients:
The ingredients of Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese include:
– Parmesan cheese (made from pasteurized part-skim milk, salt, and cheese culture)
– Cellulose powder (used to prevent caking)
– Potassium sorbate (used as a preservative)
Is It Real Cheese?
While Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese does contain real parmesan cheese as its main ingredient, it also contains other additives such as cellulose powder and potassium sorbate. Some people argue that these additives disqualify it from being considered real cheese.
However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese can legally be labeled as “100% grated parmesan cheese” even with the addition of these additives.
Cellulose Powder:
Cellulose powder is added to prevent caking in the cheese. It is made from plant fibers and is commonly used in many food products such as shredded cheese, spice mixes, and even ice cream.
While some people may be wary of consuming an ingredient that sounds like it comes from trees, cellulose powder is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and has no known adverse health effects.
Potassium Sorbate:
Potassium sorbate is another additive found in Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese. It is used as a preservative to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Like cellulose powder, potassium sorbate is generally recognized as safe by the FDA and has no known adverse health effects.
The Bottom Line:
While Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese does contain real parmesan cheese, it also contains additives such as cellulose powder and potassium sorbate. These additives are used to improve the texture and shelf life of the cheese.
Despite the use of these additives, Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese can legally be labeled as “100% grated parmesan cheese” according to the FDA.
In conclusion, whether or not you consider Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese to be “real cheese” may depend on your personal definition of real cheese. However, it is important to note that it does contain real parmesan cheese and is generally recognized as safe by regulatory bodies such as the FDA.