Is Kraft Singles Ultra Processed?
Yes — Ultra-Processed
Yes, Kraft Singles are ultra-processed (Level 4). They are legally classified as "pasteurized prepared cheese product" rather than cheese because they fail to meet the FDA standard of identity for cheese. Real cheddar cheese is the first ingredient, but it is melted down, combined with emulsifiers, whey fillers, and milk protein concentrate, then re-formed into individually wrapped slices.
Key Findings
- •Kraft Singles cannot legally be labeled "cheese" — the FDA requires them to be called "pasteurized prepared cheese product" because of their filler content
- •The perfect melting behavior comes from emulsifiers (sodium citrate), not from the cheese itself — natural cheddar melts unevenly by comparison
- •Kraft Deli Deluxe qualifies as actual "pasteurized process cheese" with higher cheese content and fewer fillers — a meaningful step down in processing
- •The individually wrapped slice format itself demands a specific emulsifier and moisture profile that increases processing
Why Is Kraft Singles Ultra-Processed?
Kraft Singles illustrate a processing technique called "cheese analogue" manufacturing. The process starts with real cheddar cheese but then disassembles it: the cheese is heated and melted, sodium citrate is added as an emulsifying salt to prevent the fat and protein from separating, and whey protein concentrate and milk protein concentrate are blended in as inexpensive protein fillers that dilute the actual cheese content. Sorbic acid preserves the slices for months, and annatto and paprika extracts provide the uniform orange color that natural cheddar lacks. The individually wrapped slice format is itself a processing indicator — the plastic film requires the cheese product to contain enough emulsifiers and moisture to remain pliable and peel cleanly. The result melts uniformly (which real cheese often does not), but that perfect meltability is a function of the emulsifier system, not natural cheese behavior. Kraft Deli Deluxe slices, by contrast, qualify as actual "pasteurized process cheese" — a meaningful regulatory distinction indicating higher cheese content and fewer fillers.
Kraft Singles Processing Level Distribution
How 186 kraft singles products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 14.2 · Average nutrition score: 3.3/10
Kraft Singles Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed kraft singles products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Cheese Slices | Not a Branded Item | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.0 | 9 |
| American Cheese Slices | Not a Branded Item | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.0 | 9 |
| American Cheese Slices | Bongards | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 8 |
| Deli Pasteurized Process Swiss & American Cheese Slices, Swiss & American | First Street | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 10 |
| American Cheese Slices | Bongards | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 8 |
| Deli Pasteurized Process Swiss & American Cheese Slices, Swiss & American | First Street | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 10 |
| White Deluxe Pasteurized Process American Cheese Slices, White Deluxe | Weis Quality | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 10 |
| American Cheese Slices | Bongards | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 8 |
| Deli Pasteurized Process Swiss & American Cheese Slices, Swiss & American | First Street | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 10 |
| Deluxe American Cheese Slices | Big Y | Processing Level: 2 out of 4 - Processed | 4.5 | 10 |
How to Read Kraft Singles Labels
- 1
The label says "pasteurized prepared cheese product" not "cheese" — this FDA classification means it does not meet cheese standards
- 2
Sodium citrate and calcium phosphate are emulsifying salts that enable the smooth, uniform texture
- 3
Milk protein concentrate and whey protein concentrate are industrial dairy fillers that dilute real cheese content
- 4
Sorbic acid as a preservative signals a product engineered for months of shelf life, not days
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Kraft Singles real cheese?
Kraft Singles contain real cheddar cheese as the first ingredient, but the final product is not legally cheese. The FDA classifies it as "pasteurized prepared cheese product" because of the added emulsifiers, whey fillers, and milk protein concentrate that dilute the cheese content below regulatory thresholds.
Is Kraft Deli Deluxe less processed than Kraft Singles?
Yes. Kraft Deli Deluxe qualifies as "pasteurized process cheese" (not "cheese product"), which indicates a higher percentage of actual cheese and fewer fillers. It is Level 3 compared to Kraft Singles at Level 4, though both still contain emulsifiers and preservatives absent in natural cheese.
Why do Kraft Singles melt so perfectly?
The emulsifying salts (sodium citrate, calcium phosphate) create a uniform protein-fat-water matrix that melts smoothly and evenly. Natural cheese proteins tangle and separate when heated, which is why real cheddar can become oily or stringy. The "perfect melt" is an engineered property, not a natural one.
What is the difference between cheese and cheese product?
Under FDA regulations, "cheese" must contain a minimum percentage of milkfat and moisture from actual cheese. "Pasteurized process cheese" can blend multiple cheeses with emulsifiers. "Pasteurized prepared cheese product" (Kraft Singles) can further add non-cheese dairy ingredients like whey and milk protein concentrate, resulting in a lower actual cheese percentage.