What The 'Cheese Product' Label On American Cheese Really Means

American cheese packaging often calls it a "cheese product" instead of just "cheese." This label comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has rules for cheese.

A company can only call its product "cheese" if it follows those regulations. American cheese doesn't fit the criteria, so it can't legitimately be called cheese.

Instead, it's designated a "pasteurized process cheese" or a "pasteurized process cheese product." Cheese must contain at least 51% real cheese to be legally called "cheese."

What we call "American cheese" is often a blend of cheddar, Colby, and Swiss cheeses melted together and mixed with lots of preservatives and an emulsifying agent.