Kraft has been a household name in the dairy aisle for generations, but not every product sold under the brand is legally classified as “cheese.” In the United States, the FDA has standards of identity that determine whether a product can be labeled simply as cheese. Many Kraft products instead carry labels such as “pasteurized prepared cheese product,” “pasteurized process cheese food,” or “processed cheese product,” indicating they contain additional ingredients beyond traditional cheese.
Kraft Singles American
Kraft Singles are perhaps the best-known example of a processed cheese product. Rather than being labeled simply as American cheese, the packaging identifies them as “Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product.”
The slices are made by blending cheese with ingredients such as milk proteins, emulsifiers, and preservatives to create their signature smooth texture and excellent melting ability. That’s why they perform so well on burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Kraft Deluxe American Slices
Kraft Deluxe American Slices contain more real cheese than traditional Kraft Singles, but they are still marketed as a processed cheese product rather than natural cheese.
Additional dairy ingredients and emulsifying salts help create a creamy consistency while preventing the slices from separating when heated. The result is a uniform melt that natural cheeses don’t always achieve.
Kraft Deli Deluxe Sharp Cheddar Slices
Although they resemble sliced cheddar from the deli counter, certain Kraft Deli Deluxe products are labeled as pasteurized process cheese products instead of natural cheddar cheese.
The manufacturing process blends cheese with other approved dairy ingredients to improve consistency, shelf life, and melting performance while maintaining a familiar cheddar flavor.
Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread
Unlike a traditional block of cheddar, Kraft Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread is formulated as a spreadable processed cheese product.
Its smooth consistency comes from the addition of emulsifiers and other ingredients that keep the product creamy even when refrigerated. This makes it ideal for crackers, sandwiches, and party trays.
When reading cheese labels, watch for these common terms:
- Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product
- Pasteurized Process Cheese Food
- Pasteurized Process Cheese Product
- Cheese Spread
- Cheese Sauce
These descriptions indicate the product contains ingredients beyond those found in natural cheese.
Kraft Cheese Whiz Original
Cheese Whiz has been a pantry favorite since the 1950s, but it isn’t natural cheese. Instead, it is marketed as a pasteurized cheese sauce.
Its blend of cheese, whey, milk proteins, emulsifiers, and seasonings creates the smooth, pourable consistency that makes it popular for cheesesteaks, nachos, baked potatoes, and dips.
The formulation is specifically designed to remain creamy after heating, something traditional cheese often struggles to do.
Kraft Easy Cheese American
Easy Cheese, sold in its iconic aerosol can, is another product that falls outside the definition of natural cheese.
The pressurized can dispenses a processed cheese product made with cheese, milk ingredients, stabilizers, and emulsifying agents. While it’s convenient for snacks and crackers, it isn’t classified as regular cheese under FDA standards.
Kraft Mac & Cheese Cheese Sauce
The ready-to-use cheese sauce found in some Kraft Mac & Cheese products is also formulated as a processed cheese sauce rather than pure cheese.
Additional ingredients help maintain a smooth texture throughout heating and storage. This consistency is one reason the sauce performs well in microwaveable meals and prepared dinners.
Conclusion
Kraft offers a wide variety of dairy products, and many of its most popular items are intentionally formulated as processed cheese products rather than natural cheese. These products are designed to deliver reliable melting, smooth texture, and longer shelf life, making them excellent choices for many recipes. By reading the product label carefully, shoppers can better understand exactly what they’re buying and select the option that best fits their cooking needs and personal preferences.
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