Have you ever wondered why shredded cheese doesn’t clump together in the bag or looked at the list of ingredients on the back of the package?
Powdered cellulose made from wood pulp is being used more and more in the food industry because it is so cheap. It is used to replace fat, boost fiber content and make low fat ice cream that still has a creamy taste.
More and more manufacturers are using powdered cellulose, which is teeny pieces of wood pulp or other plant fibers, to coat the cheese and prevent it from clumping together by absorbing any moisture in the bag.
But, you might think that trees are natural, so why would it matter that they are using cellulose in our food?
The disturbing part is that the powdered cellulose used is made by cooking raw plant fiber in various chemicals to extract the cellulose. And, there are modified versions of cellulose that are processed further using acid to break down the fiber even more.
Is there cellulose in organic brands?
According to the article even a popular organic brand uses cellulose to prevent their cheese from clumping.
How can you avoid it?
The FDA says it is OK, so that makes it totally fine, right? Just like aspartame and other things that we used to think were safe.
To me, it is a reminder to get back to the basics. Buy foods with an ingredient list that you can actually understand and know what each ingredient is. Or even better, buy whole foods. Also, avoid buying reduced fat versions of products. When the fat is removed it has to be replaced with something. There are lots of healthy fats that are certainly better for you than their questionable chemically created substitutions.
We really don’t know if powdered cellulose is harmful or benign. But, why eat cheese that is coated in chemically treated wood pulp when you can simply buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself? That is a definite money saver!
I noticed that it is also in bread from the stores! You have to read the ingredient lists of everything!
We've always grated our cheese… it's just better that way. You can grate a whole brick pretty quickly and then freeze it yourself. Yes, it will clump – but if you flash freeze it, the way you do fruits & veggies, you'll be in better shape :)
Thanks for these posts, Katie!
Thank you so much for this info!
I just had to share the link to this post on my FB page….thanks for the great info and getting the news out!
You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful :)
Katie
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You are very welcome. It seems like there is so much new info to find out every day!
Katie
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You really do have to pay close attention to ingredients!
Katie
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That is a good idea. Do you find that the cheese tastes the same after freezing? I always just shred fresh using my manual shredder or food processor.
Katie
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That white stuff on the shredded cheese always creeped me out. I started buying blocks of cheese and shredding them when needed. To me, it tastes better when it is freshly shredded.
What will they think of next? Thanks for sharing and keeping us aware!
Wow! That's gross. I had no idea. I'd let buying only real cheese slip a little the past couple of months. This was just the push I needed to get back on the whole foods cheese wagon. Thanks.
I am shredding my own cheese from this minute forward. YUCK!
You're welcome. I'm really not wanting to gross anybody out. I just want to share info that I think is important. Hope it helps :)
Katie
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You're welcome. I do wonder how someone came up with the brilliant idea of cooking wood in chemicals and using it in food…
Katie
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It is definitely better freshly shredded. It seems like some brands are worse than others with the cakey white powder.
Katie
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Wow! It seems almost nothing at all processed is safe these days!
It is really a shame, isn't it? We just have to make the best of what we can :)
Katie
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Bleh. I actually use raw milk cheese which doesn't come shredded anyway. The things that are allowed with "food" these days are scary indeed. It drives my boyfriend nuts that I won't shop in the regular groceries anymore, lol!
Wow…. Crazy. Although nothing shocks me anymore. That is part of the reason I try and follow the Mediterranean Diet and eat as naturally as possible. It is a HUGE challenge.
We try to use raw milk cheese as much as possible too. I do some shopping at the regular store but I buy as much as possible for my local farmer. It is so much better that way :)
It is a challenge to try to eat more naturally, but I think it is really worth it!
This is definitely thought provoking! I must admit I do grate my own cheese because I don't like how the packaged stuff sticks together, and I'm relieved that I do now I know why it does! Thank you for sharing this interesting post with the Hearth and Soul hop.
Thanks, April! It really does taste so much better grating your own :)
This is why I shred my own cheese. YucK! This is exactly why I don't eat convience food and make a majority of everything that goes into mine and my family's mouth. More people need to be aware of this.
Seriously? Wow. I knew there was some sort of powder on it, but I didn't know what it was. I always use a block of cheese because it's creamier.
It's pretty crazy, isn't it? I always wonder how they come up with that kind of stuff.
Katie
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We buy very little cheese and ice-cream because my oldest son is dairy intolerant, so I had no idea. Thank you for sharing this information with the Hearth and Soul Hop.
You're welcome! Have a blessed day.
Katie
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