What Cheese Does Not Have Cellulose? A Guide to Finding Cellulose-Free Options

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Many consumers have noticed a common additive in pre-shredded cheese, a plant-based fiber called cellulose, which is added to prevent clumping. If you are concerned about finding what cheese does not have cellulose, the simplest and most reliable method is to buy cheese in its block or wheel form. This guide will help you understand why cellulose is used and how to navigate the grocery store for natural, additive-free options.

Quick Summary

This article explains the purpose of cellulose in cheese products and explores a range of cheeses that typically do not contain this additive. It offers practical shopping advice, including specific brands that explicitly state they are cellulose-free. The guide also compares pre-shredded cheese with block cheese to help inform consumer choices about texture and purity.

Key Points

Block Cheese is Best: Buying cheese in a block and shredding it yourself is the most effective way to avoid added cellulose.
Cellulose is an Anti-Caking Agent: Manufacturers add cellulose, a plant fiber, to pre-shredded cheese to prevent clumping and absorb moisture.
Fresh Cheeses are Safe: Most fresh and soft cheeses like ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese do not contain cellulose.
Always Check the Ingredients: Look for "cellulose," "powdered cellulose," or "microcrystalline cellulose" on the label of shredded products.
Some Brands are Explicitly Free: Brands like RAW FARM and 4C Foods specifically advertise their cheeses as cellulose-free.
Melt Quality is Affected: Cellulose can inhibit cheese's natural ability to melt smoothly, resulting in a less desirable texture.

Understanding Cellulose in Cheese

Cellulose, a dietary fiber derived from plant cell walls, is a very common additive in packaged shredded cheeses. In its food-grade form, often labeled as powdered cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose, it serves two primary functions: preventing clumping and absorbing excess moisture. This is crucial for maintaining the quality and usability of shredded cheese in bags, which has a higher surface area and is prone to sticking together.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized cellulose as generally safe to consume, its presence can affect the cheese's texture and meltability. Some people report that shredded cheese with cellulose doesn't melt as smoothly or get as gooey as cheese shredded fresh from a block. Furthermore, some manufacturers have historically used it as an inexpensive filler, though most today simply use it for its anti-caking properties. The amount is typically limited to a small percentage of the product.

Cheeses That Are Naturally Cellulose-Free

For those seeking cheese without cellulose, the most foolproof method is to purchase cheese that is not pre-shredded. Block cheese, whether a sharp cheddar, a creamy mozzarella, or a nutty parmesan, does not require an anti-caking agent. Shredding or grating the cheese at home ensures that the only ingredient you are consuming is the cheese itself.

Fresh and Soft Cheeses

Many fresh and soft cheeses are naturally free of anti-caking additives. Their moisture content and texture make the use of cellulose unnecessary. These include:

Ricotta: A soft, creamy cheese with a fine, moist texture, perfect for lasagna or cannoli.
Cottage Cheese: Known for its curds and whey, this cheese is not shredded and therefore contains no cellulose.
Goat Cheese (Chèvre): Often sold in logs or crumbles, pure goat cheese is a safe bet for avoiding additives.
Cream Cheese: The classic soft spreadable cheese, used in everything from bagels to cheesecake, is always sold additive-free.
Brie and Camembert: These soft-ripened cheeses with a bloomy rind are always sold whole and without cellulose.
Feta: When purchased in a block, brine-packed feta is free of additives, though some pre-crumbled versions may contain them.

Brands That Guarantee No Cellulose

For those who prioritize convenience but still want to avoid cellulose, some brands explicitly advertise their products as being additive-free. A few examples found through consumer research and product descriptions include:

RAW FARM: This brand offers a shredded raw cheddar that they proudly state is made with only four ingredients: whole raw milk, vegetable rennet, cultures, and kosher sea salt. They specifically mention "no cellulose or natamycin added, ever!".
4C Foods: Known for its grated parmesan cheese, 4C Foods states that its product contains "No Additives, No Preservatives, No Fillers and No Cellulose!".
BelGioioso: This company offers a variety of products, including a shaved salad blend, that are explicitly marked as "All Natural no cellulose no Natamycin".

Always double-check the label, as formulations can change, and some brands may have different product lines with and without additives. If a bag of shredded cheese does not list "cellulose" or "powdered cellulose" in the ingredients, it is a cellulose-free option.

Comparison: Block vs. Pre-Shredded Cheese


Feature	Block Cheese	Pre-Shredded Cheese
Cellulose Content	None (additive-free)	Often contains added cellulose or starch
Cost	Generally lower per ounce	Generally higher per ounce
Melt Quality	Smoother, creamier, and gooier melt	Can have a grittier texture or be less melty
Versatility	Excellent for slicing, shaving, and grating	Limited to shredding and often less versatile
Flavor	Typically richer and more intense	Flavor can be diminished by additives and processing
Convenience	Requires extra time for grating	Ready to use, ideal for quick meals

The Verdict: How to Find the Right Cheese

Making the right choice depends on your personal priorities. If convenience is your main driver, and you don't mind the minor textural changes, pre-shredded cheese with cellulose is a perfectly safe and functional product. However, if you are a purist who values the best possible flavor and melting texture, or if you prefer to avoid all additives, buying block cheese is the clear winner. The extra minute or two it takes to shred a block of cheese can significantly elevate the quality of your dish.

For a deeper dive into common food additives, you can explore the Center for Science in the Public Interest's Chemical Cuisine resource, which details the safety and purpose of many ingredients, including cellulose.

Conclusion

Ultimately, knowing what cheese does not have cellulose gives you the power to make an informed choice at the grocery store. By opting for block cheese, fresh cheeses like ricotta and cottage cheese, or specifically labeled cellulose-free brands, you can ensure a purer, more flavorful dairy experience. While cellulose is a harmless additive, its impact on the final product is a legitimate concern for many cooks. Read your labels, buy blocks when possible, and enjoy cheese the way it was meant to be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cellulose is added to shredded cheese as an anti-caking agent. It is a plant-derived fiber that coats the individual shreds, absorbing moisture and preventing the cheese from clumping together in the bag.

The FDA considers food-grade cellulose generally safe to consume, and it acts as a dietary fiber. While not harmful, some consumers choose to avoid it for reasons related to taste and texture.

To avoid cellulose, buy cheese in block or wheel form and shred it at home. Alternatively, look for cheese that is specifically labeled as 'cellulose-free' or check the ingredients list for 'powdered cellulose'.

Yes, cellulose can interfere with the melting process. The coating on the cheese shreds can prevent them from melting into a smooth, gooey consistency, sometimes resulting in a grittier texture.

Some brands, like RAW FARM and 4C Foods, state explicitly on their packaging that their cheese products are made without cellulose. For most brands, you must check the ingredients of individual products.

Many people argue that freshly shredded cheese has a superior flavor and texture because it is free of additives that can dull the taste. Without cellulose, the cheese also melts more naturally and smoothly.

Yes, fresh and soft cheeses such as ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese do not contain cellulose because their texture and high moisture content do not require an anti-caking agent.

In most cases, buying a block of cheese is more cost-effective per ounce than purchasing the pre-shredded equivalent. While you sacrifice some convenience, you often save money and gain a better quality product.