Recently there has been a frenzy of articles about cheese manufacturers producing “fake” cheese. It has been said that grated or shredded cheese, particularly parmesan cheese are being adulterated with wood. This is a gross misrepresentation of the actual facts. What is true is that the cheeses contain a food additive known as cellulose, which is commonly derived from wood.

Cellulose is not wood !

Cellulose is a natural polysaccharide found in the stems and branches of many plants. It is the major component responsible for the structural rigidity of plant cell walls (mammalian cells do not have cell walls). There are many valid and valuable uses for cellulose in food. Continue reading →