Frequently Asked Questions

What is True Cheese?

True Cheese signifies real cheese made with time-honored craftsmanship without including excessive fillers. Products carrying the True Cheese seal are compliant with the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Standards of Identity.

Is food fraud a big concern? Why is a True Cheese seal necessary?

The Grocery Manufacturers Association has estimated that food fraud costs the grocery industry $10-$15 billion per year. Food fraud occurs most frequently among these consumer favorites: olive oil, fish, Greek yogurt, Kobe beef, wine – and now – hard cheeses like Parmesan and Romano. Industry experts estimate $375 million of fraudulent cheese is sold annually to trusting consumers. The True Cheese seal (trust mark) assures consumers that they are not purchasing cheese that uses fillers and/or chemicals as substitutes for real cheese ingredients.

What are the ingredients in True Cheese?

True Cheese only uses ingredients approved by the FDA Standards of Identity. For example, Parmesan consists of:

Cow’s milk
Cultures
Salt
Rennet (a natural enzyme)
12-14 days in a brine bath (for cheese wheels)
At least 10 months of aging

If anti-caking agents are used, such as cellulose, they are used at the absolute minimum levels (always less than 3%).

What are some of the excessive fillers being added to fraudulent cheese?

Adulterated cheese consists of some real cheese, plus the addition of any of the following:

Anti-caking agents, such as cellulose (e.g., wood fibers)
Starches
Imitation Cheeses
Lesser quality, less expensive cheese types

In some cases, these fillers can consist of up to 50% of a container of grated cheese!

I see cellulose listed on True Cheese labeled products. Isn't cellulose one of the fillers used in fraudulent cheese?

A certain amount of cellulose is allowed to assist with anti-caking and to help cheese glide through machinery during packaging. True Cheese uses no more than the allowable 3% of cellulose for these reasons. Other cheeses use cellulose in excess to displace the quantity of real cheese you receive.

Where can I find True Cheese?

Click here to find retailers carrying True Cheese.

How do we know that True Cheese is really true?

All cheeses carrying the True Cheese seal are subject to independent ingredient compliance analysis by Covance Global Food Testing Laboratories, a world-class ISO accredited food solutions lab.

Who makes True Cheese?

True Cheese is a registered trademark of award-winning cheese company Schuman Cheese. Schuman Cheese is an American, fourth generation family-run business.

Is True Cheese a brand name?

No, True Cheese is not a brand name. True Cheese is a registered trademark / trust mark of Schuman Cheese. Branded products carrying the True Cheese trust mark include Cello®, Cello Riserva® and Cello® Whisps.