Cheese in fast food

Cheese is a milk based product that is made with rennet. It is a highly versatile dairy ingredient that can be used directly in an array of culinary dishes, formatted food product and ready-made meals.

Cheese or cheese products are frequently used as ingredients, sides or toppings in many fast foods, including bagels, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, KFC’s, string cheese and many breakfast sandwiches.

In these applications, added cheese performs a number of functions; it contributes to structure, texture, flavor, mouth feel, melt properties and nutrition.

Functional cheese derivatives have been developed for use in specialty food products.

For example, quick melting cheese slices for cheeseburgers, cheese sauces for Mexican dishes, and high melt cheese products for filling meat product are commercially manufactured to meet demands of fast food and other food service businesses.

All cheeses produced must be coagulated from acceptable milk to form the curd followed by removal of the whey. Most cheeses are made from standardized and pasteurized milk.

Processed cheeses are frequently high in calories, transfats and sodium.
Cheese in fast food