Kraft Singles are a popular processed cheese product made by the Kraft Heinz Company. They are one of the most recognizable brands of American cheese slices. However, there has been some debate around whether processed cheese products like Kraft Singles offer any health benefits or may be harmful.
What are Kraft Singles?
Kraft Singles are a type of pasteurized prepared cheese product. They are made from a blend of milk, milk proteins and milkfat, along with other ingredients like whey, emulsifiers, salt, food coloring and preservatives.
The manufacturing process for Kraft Singles starts with blending milk, whey and milk proteins to form a cheese base. Emulsifying salts are added to help keep the fat and water from separating. The cheese base is then heated and poured into molds to form slices. As it cools, the slices solidify into the final Kraft Single product.
Because Kraft Singles contain additional dairy ingredients beyond just cheese, they cannot be labeled as “real cheese.” Therefore, Kraft Singles are labeled as a “pasteurized prepared cheese product.” This categorization allows Kraft to blend various dairy components together to produce the uniform, shelf-stable, sliceable product known as Kraft Singles.
Nutrition Facts of Kraft Singles
Here are some of the basic nutrition facts for Kraft Singles:
- Calories: 70 calories per slice
- Fat: 5g total fat (3g saturated fat)
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Calcium: 15% DV
Kraft Singles are designed to have a similar nutrient profile as conventional cheese. During processing, milkfat is added to boost the fat content and milk proteins are added to increase the protein levels. However, the ingredients and nutrients are blended together in different ratios compared to regular cheese.
Are Kraft Singles Healthy?
Benefits
Here are some of the potential benefits associated with Kraft Singles in moderation:
- Convenient source of dairy: Each slice provides protein, calcium and other nutrients found in dairy products. This makes them a quick and convenient way to incorporate dairy into meals or snacks.
- Lower in fat than regular cheese: Kraft Singles are made with reduced fat milk and blended with non-fat milk ingredients. They contain 5g of fat per slice, compared to around 9g in a slice of cheddar cheese.
- Nutritionally equivalent to cheese: Although made from a blend of milk products, Kraft Singles offer a similar nutritional profile as natural cheese slices in terms of protein, calcium, fat, vitamins and minerals.
- Kid-friendly: Many children enjoy the mild, inoffensive taste of Kraft Singles. They can help increase calcium and vitamin D intake in kids’ diets.
- Uniform slices: The individually wrapped slices make it easy to get the same portion every time. This can help with creating balanced sandwiches and meal prep.
Concerns
However, there are some potential downsides to consider regarding Kraft Singles as well:
- Highly processed: To create the smooth, uniform, plastic-wrapped slices, Kraft Singles undergo significant processing and the addition of extra ingredients like emulsifiers and stabilizers.
- Higher in sodium: A slice of Kraft Single contains 270mg sodium. This is significantly higher than the 50-100mg in a typical slice of natural cheese.
- Loss of nutrients: The heating and blending during processing may degrade some vitamins like vitamin C and B vitamins compared to regular cheese.
- Artificial ingredients: Most Kraft Singles contain food coloring, like yellow #5 and yellow #6. They also contain preservatives like sorbic acid.
- Adds convenience waste: The individual plastic wrapping contributes to excess plastic waste compared to buying block cheese.
Are Kraft Singles Real Cheese?
Kraft Singles do not meet the legal definition of “real” or “natural” cheese. According to FDA regulations, any product labeled “cheese” must be made from only milk, cream, rennet and salt.
Because Kraft Singles contain additional dairy ingredients like milk proteins, emulsifiers and whey concentrates, they cannot be labeled as “cheese.” Instead, Kraft Singles are considered a “pasteurized prepared cheese product.”
Some key differences between Kraft Singles and real cheese include:
| Kraft Singles | Real Cheese |
|---|---|
| Made from a blend of milk ingredients | Made only from milk, cream, rennet, and salt |
| Contain extra emulsifiers and stabilizers | No added emulsifiers |
| Heat treated and processed | Usually just pasteurized, not processed |
| Uniform in color and flavor | Variable color and flavor |
| Individually sliced and wrapped | Usually sold in blocks |
So in summary, while Kraft Singles offer a similar nutrient profile to natural cheese, they cannot be considered “real cheese” due to their additional ingredients and high degree of processing.
Are Kraft Singles Dairy?
Yes, Kraft Singles do qualify as a dairy product. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, dairy products are defined as foods made from milk that retain a “dominant, distinctive milk flavor.”
Kraft Singles are made from a blend of milk, milk proteins, milkfat, whey and other dairy ingredients. Even though extras are added, milk remains the main ingredient. Kraft Singles have a recognizable cheese taste and offer a similar nutritional profile to sliced cheese in terms of protein, calcium, vitamins A and D.
So despite the processing and additional ingredients, Kraft Singles do meet the technical requirements to be labeled as a type of dairy product.
Milk Components in Kraft Singles
Here are some of the key milk components found in Kraft Singles:
- Milk: Also called raw milk, this is the starting liquid milk before processing.
- Milk proteins: Casein and whey proteins from milk are added.
- Milkfat: Milkfat in the form of cream is added to boost the fat content.
- Whey: Dry whey from milk provides extra milk solids.
- Emulsifying salts: Help bind the milkfat to the other milk components.
By using various forms of fluid milk, condensed milk, milk powders, milk proteins and milkfat, Kraft is able to create a final product with a similar nutrient profile to cheese made from milk alone.
Alternatives to Kraft Singles
If you are looking to reduce your intake of highly processed foods, here are some alternatives to consider instead of Kraft Singles:
Regular Cheeses
Choose regular sliced cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss, provolone or Monterey Jack. Try to pick low moisture, part-skim milk varieties to reduce the fat content. Buy block cheese and slice it yourself rather than pre-packaged slices.
Organic Cheese Slices
Look for certified organic cheese slices without artificial colors or preservatives. Horizon Organic and Annie’s are two widely available brands.
Make Your Own Cheese Slices
Purchase block cheese such as cheddar and slice it thinly at home. You can also try recipes for homemade cheese slices made from ingredients like cashews.
Non-Dairy Cheese
For a vegan option, use slices of non-dairy cheese made from soy, nuts or other plant foods. Brands like Daiya, Follow Your Heart and Miyoko’s offer pre-sliced options.
Nut and Seed Butters
Nut butters like almond or sunflower butter can make a creamy, protein-packed alternative to sliced cheese in sandwiches.
Summary
Kraft Singles offer a quick and convenient way to add cheese-like flavor, protein, calcium and other nutrients found in dairy products to your meals and snacks. However, the highly processed nature of Kraft Singles means they also contain added ingredients like emulsifiers, sodium and preservatives compared to natural cheeses.
When eaten in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet, Kraft Singles can provide benefits. But they shouldn’t be viewed as nutritionally equivalent to minimally processed real cheeses. Limiting highly processed foods as much as possible is ideal for health.
If aiming to reduce your intake of processed foods, switching to real cheese slices, organic cheese products or non-dairy alternatives are some healthier options to consider instead of Kraft Singles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kraft Singles gluten-free?
Yes, Kraft Singles are certified gluten-free. They are made without any ingredients containing gluten.
Are Kraft Singles vegetarian?
Regular Kraft Singles are not vegetarian because they contain milk and milk ingredients. However, Kraft makes a Dairy-Free Singles product that is vegan and suitable for vegetarians. It is made from plant-based ingredients like potato starch, tapioca starch, coconut oil and pea protein isolate.
Are Kraft Singles bad for you?
Eating Kraft Singles occasionally as part of a healthy diet is fine for most people. But regularly consuming highly processed cheese products may lead to excessive sodium, fat, calories and artificial additives. People with high blood pressure, heart disease or sodium-sensitive conditions may want to limit foods like Kraft Singles.
Can you melt Kraft Singles?
Yes, Kraft Singles melt smoothly, which is why they are a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and cheeseburgers. Their emulsifiers and stabilizers help prevent the fat from separating when melted. Real cheeses often become oily or separate when melted.
Are Kraft Singles plastic?
While they are smooth and wrapper-like, Kraft Singles themselves are not plastic. However, they do contain some ingredients not found in natural cheeses, like emulsifiers and stabilizers, to achieve their plastic-like texture. The individual plastic wrappers around each slice also contribute to environmental plastic waste.
Are Kraft Singles made from milk?
Yes, the main ingredient in Kraft Singles is milk. Additional milk components like milk proteins, whey and milk fat are also added during processing. So despite some extra ingredients, Kraft Singles do qualify as a dairy product since milk remains the dominant component.
Conclusion
Kraft Singles offer convenience, but are more highly processed than natural cheeses. While they can be included moderately in a healthy diet, it is best to limit highly processed foods when possible. Choosing real cheese, organic cheese slices or non-dairy alternatives are some healthier options instead of Kraft Singles in most cases.
