Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese has been a number one seller of Italian style Parmesan cheese in America since 1945. Sold in the iconic green shaker can, bearing the colors of Italy, it graces tables and restaurants everywhere. But is Kraft Parmesan Cheese Healthy? Is it natural and is it gluten-free?
Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is considered Gluten Free. It is made from cheese, cellulose powder, and potassium sorbate, all of which are gluten free. However, Kraft does not label it as gluten free, possibly due to the manufacturing process. The best gluten free alternatives are Locatelli Pecorino Romano, Igourmet Parmigiano Reggiano, and Go Vegie Vegan Parmesan.
Throughout this article, we will discuss the nutritional information for Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, as well as highlight gluten-free alternatives. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese Healthy?
Kraft Parmesan Cheese has more than just milk, rennet and salt. These are the only ingredients allowed by law in Italian labeled Parmesan cheese. In Kraft and similar brands, they have additional non-cheese ingredients such as potato starch, natamycin, and powdered cellulose.
Potato starch, or sometimes cornstarch, is used commercially as a thickener. It prevents the cheese from sticking together and clumping.
Natamycin is also found in many brands of grated Parmesan cheese. It is a mold inhibitor keeping cheese fresh for a longer shelf life. Natamycin is an antifungal widely used in dairy products. Though approved by the FDA, Whole Foods has put natamycin on its unacceptable food ingredients list.
Is Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese Actually Cheese?
Yes. Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is actually cheese. It is manufactured with an abbreviated curing process, but is does start with milk, salt, cultures and enzymes. These are the basic ingredients of all cheese.
Modern manufactured cheeses, like Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, are made in automated factories with industrial equipment. It will taste significantly different than the handmade, cave aged cheeses.
So Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is Real Parmesan Cheese?
Not quite. Parmesan, or real Parmesan, is a designation of cheese by European law. It must be made with cow’s milk, rennet and salt. It has a specified aging process where the cheese is cured for 10 months or more. Additionally, Parmesan can only be made in two regions of Italy.
Other ingredients like cellulose powder and potassium sorbate are illegal in Italian Parmesan Cheese. In Europe, Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese cannot be sold as Parmesan Cheese. It is sold and labelled by Kraft as Pamesello.
Is Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese Natural?
No. Neither the cellulose powder nor the potassium sorbate are natural. Cellulose powder is chemically treated plant fibers, derived from wood. Potassium sorbate is a chemical additive to assist in food preservation. Both are odorless and tasteless.
However, neither cellulose nor potassium sorbate are naturally occurring in cheese. They are additives for extending the shelf life of the product.
Does Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese Taste Different than Real Parmesan Cheese?
Yes. The longer the cheese ages, the more pronounced it’s flavors will be. Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, however, has a specially FDA approved “faster curing process”. This allows for faster production, but a more mild and milky taste.
Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese is also made with skim milk. This cheese will have less flavor when compared to one made with whole milk.
Traditional Italian Parmesan cheese has a much stronger tasted when compared to Kraft. Italian Parmesan cheese has a nutty, buttery flavor. Another hallmark of real aged Parmesan cheese is the semi-solid salt crystals which gives it a gritty texture.
Grated Parmesan Cheese Nutrition Information
Kraft Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Parmesan Cheese
- Romano Cheese made from Cow’s Milk (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes)
- Cellulose Powder
- Potassium Sorbate
Nutritional Information (per 2 teaspoons, 5g):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 75mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Frigo Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Powdered Cellulose
- Eggs
- Natamycin
Nutritional Information (per ¼ cup, 28g):
- Calories: 100
- Calories from Fat: 60
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 380mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: <1g
- Total Sugars: <1g
- Protein: 9g
Lucerne Grated Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Powdered Cellulose
- Natamycin
Nutritional Information (per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 20
- Calories from Fat: 15
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Market Pantry Grated Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Parmesan Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk, Salt, Microbial Enzymes)
- Powdered Cellulose
- Cornstarch
- Potassium Sorbate
Nutritional Information (per 2 teaspoons):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Calcium: 60mg
- Potassium 10mg
Milano’s 100% Grated Imported Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Pasteurized Cow’s Milk
- Culture
- Salt
- Enzymes
- Cornstarch
- Cellulose
- Potassium Sorbate
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon, 5g):
- Calories: 25
- Calories from Fat: 15
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 90mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Satori Grated Parmesan Classic
Ingredients:
- Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes)
- Potato Starch and/or Cornstarch
Nutritional Information (per 1 Tablespoon):
- Calories: 20
- Calories from Fat: 15
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: .5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 55mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
365 Everyday Value, Grated Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- Cultured Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk
- Salt
- Powdered Cellulose
- Microbial Enzymes
Nutritional Information (per 1 Tablespoon, 5g):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 60mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Calcium: 60mg
Gluten-Free Kraft Parmesan Cheese Alternatives
Locatelli Pecorino Romano (Wedge; not pre-grated or shredded)
Romano is a perfect gluten-free substitute for Grated Kraft Parmesan Cheese. It is 100% sheep’s milk and does not contain any other ingredients. It also has calcium, Vitamin A and Phosphorus.
Ingredients:
- 100% Pure Pasteurized Sheep’s Milk
- Cultures
- Rennet
Nutritional Information (per 110g):
- Calories: 110
- Calories from Fat: 80
- Total Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 480mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Vitamin A: 200IU
- Calcium: 200mg
- Phosphorus: 150mg
Go Veggie – Vegan Parmesan
This non GMO option has 30% less fat, double the calcium when compared to ordinary cheese It also contains no cholesterol, lactose nor gluten.
Ingredients:
- Soy Base (Soy Protein Concentrate, Filtered Water)
- Instantized Rice Flour
- Coconut Oil
- Rice Maltodextrin
- Natural Vegan Flavors
- Rice Flour
- Rice Meal
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Sea Salt
- Vegetable Glycerin
- Lactic Acid (Non-Dairy)
- Citric Acid
- Vitamin A Acetate
- Soy Lecithin
Nutritional Information (per 2 teaspoons, 5g):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 95mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 6% (Daily Values)
- Calcium; 8% (Daily Values)
Igourmet Parmigiano Reggiano
Choosing imported Italian parmesan cheese will ensure natural ingredients and 100%. It’s naturally gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Unpasteurized Milk
- Rennet
- Salt
Nutritional Information (per 1 oz.):
- Calories: 107
- Total Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 21mg
- Sodium: 145mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Vitamin A: 1% (Daily Values)
- Calcium: .3% (Daily Values)
Kirkland Grated Parmesan Cheese
This brand does not have any added preservatives.
Ingredients:
- Part Skimmed Cow’s Milk
- Cheese Cultures
- Salt
- Rennet
Nutritional Information (per 1 tablespoon, 5g):
- Calories: 20
- Calories from Fat: 15
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: <5mg
- Sodium: 30mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Related Questions
What is Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese Made Of?
Kraft grated parmesan cheese is made of cow’s cheese from pasteurized part skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes. Cellulose powder to prevent caking and potassium sorbate to protect the flavor are added to the cheese during the manufacturing process.
Does Kraft Parmesan Cheese have Wood Chips In It?
Yes and no. Cellulose is a plant fiber commonly found in wood. When used in a dairy products, the raw fiber is chemically treated until it’s refined to a microcrystalline powder or reconstituted as gum.
There are not solid wood chips in Kraft Parmesan Cheese, just a chemically derived product.
Is Grated Parmesan the Same as Shredded Parmesan?
No. Grated and shredded cheese are not the same product at a grocery store. Grated cheese consists of tiny fragments with a powdery texture. Shredded cheese has longer, smoother, more uniform strips.
Why is Real Parmesan Cheese Expensive?
Real Parmesan cheese must be made in Italy without any preservative. Because shipping this cheese to the US requires special handling, it will be expensive. Parmesan Cheese is also hand made and has a lengthy aging process. According to European Law, the wheels of cheese must be made and aged in a prescribed method. The cheese must sit in a brine bath for 20 days. Next, the cheese must be aged on a shelf for at least 10 months.