Is American Cheese Fake Cheese? Unraveling the Myths

When it comes to the world of cheese, one popular product often raises eyebrows: American cheese. Many believe it to be a type of fake cheese, but is this really the case? Let's dive into the details and settle the debate once and for all.

What is American Cheese?

First, it’s important to understand that what many people call 'American cheese' isn't exactly cheese in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a processed cheese product that contains a mix of ingredients, including but not limited to cheese powders, emulsifiers, and preservatives. While it contains real cheese, it is far removed from the type of cheese made from pasteurized milk.

Understanding Processed Cheese

To better understand the nature of American cheese, let’s look at how cheese is classified. According to the FDA, there are three main categories of processed cheese:

Pasteurized Process Cheese: Contains 100% cheese. Pasteurized Process Cheese Food: Contains at least 51% cheese. Pasteurized Process Cheese Product: Contains less than 51% cheese.

When you purchase American cheese, you are more likely to find a Pasteurized Process Cheese Product, which means it contains less than 51% actual cheese. Therefore, calling it 'fake cheese' would be a misnomer. It is, however, a type of processed cheese, which differentiates it from 'real cheese' made directly from dairy products.

What’s Fake Cheese?

True fake cheese, on the other hand, refers to vegan alternatives that do not contain any milk or dairy products. These are typically made from plant-based ingredients such as seaweed, nuts, and soy. For instance, 'fake shrimp' refers to ceviche made from algae rather than real shrimp.

The Evolution of American Cheese in Retail

The distinction between 'American cheese' and 'American cheese food' or 'cheese product' can sometimes be confusing for consumers. In many stores, pre-sliced deli cheese labeled as 'American cheese' might actually be classified as 'cheese food' or 'cheese product.' For example, the Kroger and Land o’Lakes brands have made this transition, with deli cheese being labeled differently based on its composition.

The View from a Cheese Professional

To gain deeper insight, we turned to our brother-in-law, who owns a cheese company. He provided a practical comparison, saying, 'American cheese is the "hot dog of cheeses." It is not a cheese unless you have a very broad definition of cheese.' He likened it to margarine, a chemical compound that is highly processed and does not necessarily contain any dairy or milk.

According to him, very few American cheese products contain more than 5% of milk or dairy. Therefore, a product that calls itself cheese should ideally contain dairy ingredients. However, as the brother-in-law pointed out, it's also important to recognize that milk cannot come from nuts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, American cheese is neither fake nor entirely real cheese. It is a processed cheese product that contains both real cheese and a variety of other ingredients. Understanding the difference between 'American cheese,' 'cheese food,' and 'cheese product' can help consumers make more informed decisions when buying and consuming this popular dairy alternative.