What is cellulose? When you look at the ingredient list on the back of a bag of shredded cheddar, you'll almost always find cellulose. It's a common ingredient in pre-shredded cheese, valued for its anti-caking and moisture-absorbing properties.
The increased bulk provided in the stomach and the intestines by cellulose has been associated with appetite suppression which is why many diets recommend foods with a high fibre content. So finding cellulose in grated cheese is absolutely a non-issue in terms of any negative health effect.
Pre-grated cheese contains preservatives like potato starch and natamycin, meant to keep the shreds from clumping together in the bag. That means the cheese won't melt well when used for cooking.
In the dairy industry, cellulose is used mainly as an anti-caking agent that ensures shredded cheese will “flow and not clump into a ball,” when it's coming out of a shaker. To make the additive, the raw fiber is chemically treated until it's refined to a microcrystalline powder or reconstituted as gum.
In packaged shredded cheese, cellulose is used to coat the pieces of cheese, blocking out the moisture that causes them to clump. But that is just the beginning; cellulose is also used to replace fat and give a creamier feel to foods like low-fat ice cream, to thicken and stabilize, and to boost fiber content.
It's likely that the white substance on the outside of your cheese is calcium lactate. Calcium lactate is common in aged cheese. It is basically a natural calcium buildup that occurs over time during the aging process, and it sometimes will become visible on the surface of the cheese.
Nora Weiser, executive director of the American Cheese Society, says cellulose isn't found in wheels of cheese, but in shredded varieties, where it's used as an anti-caking agent. "It is a legal, food-grade additive," she says.
There's good news and bad news about the revelation that a supposed 100-percent Parmesan cheese was adulterated with cellulose—a filler often made from wood pulp. First the good: Eating cellulose won't kill you. There are no known harmful side effects from adding it to food, and it's completely legal.
If you're a cheese lover, no need to cut your cheddar or Gouda habit out completely. But keep in mind that the saturated fat in many cheeses can contribute to inflammation)—and the American Heart Association recommends that foods with saturated fat should account for just 5 to 6 percent of your daily calories.
Hard cheese is fine
The rule of thumb is this: when it comes to hard cheeses, it's ok and perfectly safe to remove the mold-affected part (and about an inch or so around that), make sure there is nothing left that could hurt you and then you're fine.
However, there are some shredded cheeses that simply say "anti-caking blend" which is made up of potato starch, cornstarch, calcium sulfate, and natamycin (which prevents your cheese from going moldy quickly).
Ingredients: Cheddar Cheese (pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [color]), Potato Starch, Cellulose Powder, And Calcium Sulfate Added To Prevent Caking, Natamycin (a Natural Mold Inhibitor) Contains:milk.
Potassium sorbate is effective against toxic molds at concentrations of 0.10 to 0.15%. Natamycin is very effective in preventing mold growth and toxin production at very low levels of 0.001 to 0.005%.
Food and nutritional experts all seem to agree that whole foods are better for you. By using block cheese that you shred daily, you are providing a healthier pizza for your customer. Better melt. Block cheese melts better on your pizza in the oven.
Cheese is a great source of protein and calcium but is often high in saturated fat and salt. This means eating too much could lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Cheddar is high histamine and also inhibits DAO, the enzyme that breaks down histamine and other amines in the body. Every person has unique dietary triggers. Your reaction to cheddar may be different than someone else's.
It helps in connecting cells to form tissues and signals the cells to grow and divide. Humans cannot digest cellulose. However, it is consumed in the diet as fibre. Fibre helps the digestive system to keep the food moving through the gut and moves the waste out of the body.
But if you want to save some time or money, just run some bagged shredded cheese under some water in a colander then let it drain. It will get rid of the starch and then it melts fine, plus you saved 30 minutes by not shredding all that cheese for your huge dish of mac for the family.
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Always made from fresh milk, Kraft shredded natural cheese is perfect for your family's favorite pastas, casseroles, and more. You can even eat it as is as a satisfying snack! For over 100 years, Kraft has been making the cheese your family loves. So, no matter how you like it, we've got a cheese for you.
Processed foods: When ingredients such as oil, sugar or salt are added to foods and they are packaged, the result is processed foods. Examples are simple bread, cheese, tofu, and canned tuna or beans. These foods have been altered, but not in a way that's detrimental to health.
The cellulose added to processed foods usually comes from wood pulp (saw dust) or cotton lint. It can prevent caking, such as in grated parmesan cheese, but some companies fraudulently use it as a cheap filler in their “100%” grated parmesan cheese.