Is Kraft shredded cheese natural? A comprehensive nutrition diet guide

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the NHS, not all processed foods are unhealthy, but many ultra-processed varieties contain high levels of salt, sugar, or saturated fat. When building a balanced diet, many people question the items they purchase for convenience, leading to a common query: Is Kraft shredded cheese natural? This guide dives into the facts about its ingredients, processing, and overall place in a healthy diet.

Quick Summary

An examination of Kraft shredded cheese reveals it contains cheese, modified cornstarch to prevent caking, and natamycin to inhibit mold. These added agents distinguish it from a purer, unprocessed block cheese, although Kraft brands it as "natural".

Key Points

Not purely natural: Kraft shredded cheese contains modified cornstarch and natamycin, distinguishing it from an unprocessed cheese block.
Additives prevent clumping and mold: Modified cornstarch acts as an anti-caking agent, and natamycin prevents mold growth to extend shelf life.
Melting can be affected: The anti-caking agents can prevent pre-shredded cheese from melting as smoothly and evenly as cheese you grate yourself.
Additives are generally considered safe: The FDA and food scientists consider common additives like modified cornstarch and natamycin safe in the trace amounts used in shredded cheese.
Choose based on convenience vs. purity: Grating block cheese is less processed and costs less per ounce, while pre-shredded cheese offers convenience with minor additives and a higher price.
Moderate consumption is recommended: Regardless of the form, cheese is a higher-fat and higher-sodium food, and should be part of a balanced diet in moderation.

What Defines 'Natural' Cheese?

To understand if Kraft shredded cheese is natural, it's essential to define the term from a nutritional perspective. Natural cheese is made with a few basic ingredients: milk, bacterial cultures, salt, and enzymes. The cheese is aged, and its flavor and texture develop over time. The processing is minimal, and the resulting block of cheese is a product of these simple, whole-food components. In contrast, processed cheese is made by blending different natural cheeses and adding emulsifying salts, preservatives, and other ingredients for consistency, stability, and a longer shelf life. While Kraft labels its shredded cheese as "natural," the presence of added ingredients necessitates a closer look at its formulation to get the full picture.

The Ingredients in Kraft Shredded Cheese

When you check the ingredient list on a bag of Kraft shredded cheese, you'll find components beyond the basic milk, salt, and enzymes. For instance, a bag of Kraft Finely Shredded Natural Sharp Cheddar Cheese lists the following:

Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [Color])
Modified Cornstarch (added to prevent caking)
Natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)

The presence of modified cornstarch and natamycin is what differentiates pre-shredded cheese from a block you would shred yourself.

The Role of Additives

Modified Cornstarch: This additive is a plant-based anti-caking agent, meaning it prevents the cheese shreds from clumping together in the bag. The finely shredded pieces have a greater surface area, which can cause them to stick together, particularly if moisture is present. This starch coating allows the cheese to remain loose and easy to sprinkle.
Natamycin: Described by Kraft as a "natural mold inhibitor," natamycin is a substance produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces natalensis. It is a safe and effective way to extend the product's shelf life by preventing mold growth on the cheese. While it's a naturally occurring substance, its use as an additive is a form of processing.

Comparing Block Cheese and Pre-Shredded Cheese

The most significant differences between buying a block of cheese and a bag of pre-shredded cheese lie in convenience, ingredients, and cost. Below is a comparison to help you weigh your options.


Feature	Block Cheese	Pre-Shredded Kraft Cheese
Ingredients	Milk, culture, salt, enzymes.	Cheese ingredients, plus modified cornstarch and natamycin.
Processing	Curing and aging, with minimal intervention.	Shredding, coating with anti-caking agents, and packaging.
Melting Quality	Melts smoothly and evenly, yielding a creamy texture.	Anti-caking agents can prevent shreds from melting together smoothly, leading to a clumpier texture.
Cost-Effectiveness	Generally costs less per ounce.	More expensive per ounce due to the added convenience.
Nutritional Content	Provides protein and calcium.	Very similar nutritional profile to block cheese, with trace additions from anti-caking agents.

Making an Informed Choice for Your Diet

For most people, the additives in Kraft shredded cheese are not a major health concern. Food scientists note that the amount of anti-caking agents like cornstarch is negligible and has little impact on the overall nutritional value. Natamycin is also widely regarded as safe for consumption. However, a key aspect of a healthy diet is understanding what you consume and opting for less-processed options when possible. For those who prioritize whole, unprocessed ingredients, grating your own cheese from a block is the best option.

Tips for incorporating cheese into a healthy diet:

Prioritize a variety of whole foods: Use cheese to enhance meals rich in vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
Read the label: If you choose pre-shredded cheese, check the ingredient list to be aware of what you are consuming.
Consider the source: Choose cheese from trusted sources. Some consumers prefer cheese made from organic or grass-fed milk, though the nutritional difference may be minimal.
Moderation is key: Like any food with higher fat and sodium content, cheese should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Conclusion

In short, while Kraft shredded cheese is derived from natural cheese, it is not a purely natural product due to the added modified cornstarch and natamycin used for convenience and preservation. It is a processed food, but one that can safely be included in a healthy diet in moderation. The choice between pre-shredded and block cheese ultimately depends on your priorities regarding convenience, taste, and a personal preference for avoiding additives. For the purest cheese experience with optimal melting, grating your own from a block is the superior option, but for those short on time, Kraft shredded cheese is a widely available and safe alternative.

For more information on the processing of foods, consult reputable sources such as the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health's guide to processed foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the addition of anti-caking agents like modified cornstarch and preservatives like natamycin in the shredded version to prevent clumping and mold. A block of cheese typically contains only milk, cultures, enzymes, and salt.

Modified cornstarch is added to act as an anti-caking agent. It coats the shreds of cheese, preventing them from sticking together in the package and ensuring the cheese remains loose and easy to sprinkle.

Yes, natamycin is a naturally occurring substance produced by soil bacteria and is widely used as a food preservative to inhibit mold. It is generally recognized as safe for consumption by food safety authorities like the FDA.

Yes, the anti-caking agents on pre-shredded cheese can prevent the shreds from melting together smoothly. This can result in a clumpier or grainier melt compared to the creamy, even melt of freshly grated cheese.

According to the NOVA classification, pre-shredded cheese is a processed food, but not necessarily an ultra-processed one, as it still largely consists of actual cheese. Ultra-processed foods are typically made almost entirely from substances extracted from foods, with many added ingredients.

The overall nutritional profile is very similar, with negligible amounts of additives. The primary nutritional components—protein, calcium, fat, and sodium—are comparable between the two.

From a processing standpoint, block cheese is less processed and contains fewer ingredients, making it a purer product. However, the health impact of the additives in Kraft shredded cheese is considered minimal for most people. The healthiest choice depends on your personal preference for convenience versus ingredient purity.