Is American Cheese Really Cheese?

Posted in Our Blog on June 22, 2026

We have all reached for those individual slices of American cheese and thrown them on top of burgers at cook outs, made sandwiches at picnics and even just eaten a slice by itself as a little snack. I am so guilty of all of the above but is American cheese really cheese?

Sorry to break the news, but American cheese is not real cheese. It contains cheese, but not in large enough amounts to bear the title. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers American cheese to be “pasteurized process cheese.” All cheese—real or not—undergoes some degree of processing to achieve the final product. Makers of American cheese go a few steps further by continuing to process the “cheese” with added ingredients.

Federal regulations limit just what ingredients can supplement your slice of American, ranging from milk and cream to emulsifying agents and preservatives. But in general, you should expect only about 50% of your slice to comprise actual cheese.

Before you get grossed out at the concept, it’s worth asking why manufacturers add all of these extra ingredients. The obvious answer is that all that filler makes for a cheaper product. But the filler also serves a culinary purpose.

Real cheese that’s been overheated can separate into oily puddles. The emulsifiers found in American cheese may not be easy to pronounce, but they do eliminate that issue so you get perfectly melty grilled cheese sandwiches. In the manufacturing process, American cheese is also seasoned, which gives you a consistently flavorful slice every time.

Is it going to offer a lot of nuance in the flavor department? No. Is it the most nutrient dense product in the dairy aisle? Certainly not. But what American cheese does bring to the table is optimal texture and a nostalgic flavor that will always have a place in our hearts.

Foods that are highly processed or ultra-processed usually:

• Are processed in several steps that involve many added ingredients
• Include artificial coloring and flavors
• Contain preservatives
• Are mostly ready to eat
• Contain little fiber and may be low in other nutrients

Although American cheese has some nutritional value, it also meets the other criteria and is classified as a processed food. Some highly processed foods are healthy, but consumers should watch for those with added sugar, unhealthy fats, and excess sodium.

Is American Cheese Healthy?

The nutritional value of American cheese can vary slightly, depending upon whether you choose the “cheese product” or the “cheese food.” Different brands may also have slightly different nutritional content.

One slice of pasteurized processed cheese food, usually 3/4 of an ounce, contains:

• Calories: About 69
• Protein: About 3.5 grams, or 7% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Carbohydrate: About 1.8 grams, or 1% of the DV
• Sugar: About 1.2 grams, or 2% of the DV
• Fat: About 5.4 grams, or 7% of the DV (mostly saturated fat)

Because cheese is an animal product, its protein contains all the essential amino acids. However, animal products are also often high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

I guess like anything in moderation American “cheese” could be okay but I am now looking at other options like sliced deli cheddar, or even some delicious Swiss. For more information about processed foods and food safety please follow Make Food Safe.