If you’re a cheese lover, chances are you’ve come across Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese at some point. This popular cheese product is often used as a topping for pasta dishes, salads, pizza, and more. But have you ever wondered if Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is real?
The Short Answer:
Yes, Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is real cheese. However, it’s important to note that it’s not 100% pure Parmesan cheese.
What is Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese?
Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is a pre-grated cheese product that’s made from milk, enzymes, salt, and cellulose powder. The cellulose powder is used as an anti-caking agent to prevent the cheese from clumping together.
Is Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese Real?
Yes, Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is real cheese. However, it’s not 100% pure Parmesan cheese. According to the FDA regulations, any product labeled as “Parmesan” or “Parmigiano-Reggiano” must be made from 100% grated Parmesan cheese and cannot contain any additives like cellulose powder.
Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese contains around 3% cellulose powder which means it does not meet the FDA regulations for 100% pure Parmesan cheese. Despite this fact, Kraft Food Group still claims that their product contains “100% grated Parmesan cheese” on their packaging.
How Is It Made?
To make Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese, milk and enzymes are combined to create curds which are then separated from the whey. The curds are then salted and aged for several months before being grated into small pieces.
During the aging process of traditional Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (which is 100% pure Parmesan cheese), the cheese naturally produces its own anti-caking agents. However, because Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is made in a shorter aging time frame, it requires an anti-caking agent like cellulose powder to keep the cheese from clumping together.
Is It Safe to Eat?
Yes, Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is safe to eat. The cellulose powder that’s used as an anti-caking agent is made from wood pulp and is considered safe for human consumption. In fact, many other foods like powdered sugar and shredded coconut also contain cellulose powder as an anti-caking agent.
However, if you’re looking for 100% pure Parmesan cheese with no additives, you may want to opt for a different brand or buy a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and grate it yourself.
The Bottom Line
Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese is real cheese but it’s not 100% pure Parmesan cheese. It contains around 3% cellulose powder which is used as an anti-caking agent. While it’s safe to eat, if you’re looking for 100% pure Parmesan cheese with no additives, you may want to choose a different brand or buy a block of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and grate it yourself.