Why is there a Cream Cheese Shortage? A cyberattack is the primary cause of the shortage. A wave of cyberattacks was begun in late 2021 against a wide range of businesses and organisations, including meat packers, police forces and even cream cheese manufacturers. Cheese became scarce across America in October as a result of a cyberattack on the largest cheese maker in the country.
Why is there a Cream Cheese Shortage?
Bloomberg reported on the strike the targeting plants and warehouses. Schreiber Foods, a Wisconsin-based company, was forced to shut down its whole operation for several days after the attack.
Just before the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas holidays, the plant was partially shut down due to a lack of workers. It’s tempting to believe that the current ‘Great Cream Cheese Shortage’ in the U.s. is due to supply chain concerns.
| Numbers | Reasons |
|---|---|
| 1 | pandemic in Europe |
| 2 | labour shortages |
| 3 | increase in demand |
| 4 | late shipments |
| 5 | Cyberattacks Issues |
Issues With the Supply Chain
Many plausible explanations have been put out for the Great Mascarpone Shortage of 2021, including everything from an impending pandemic in Europe to a shortage in the United States.
Problems with the supply chain and labour shortages. A ransomware attack Rationing of water. Americans are in urgent need of delicious meals as a new coronavirus strain causes concern, cases soar, and preparations for a second festive period of testing and masks begin.
In recent weeks, the United States has been hit by a schmear scarcity, albeit unevenly. There have been reports of bagel businesses in New York City cutting back on the amount of cinnamon raisin and sesame spread on their bread.
The lack of Junior’s iconic New York-style cheesecake has forced the business to halt production three times recently. Despite this, many supermarket stores appear to have a good supply of the product.
The coronavirus pandemic’s latest supply problem is a scarcity of cream cheese. In the beginning, finding toilet paper and cleaning supplies was difficult. After that, chicken and lumber.
This year’s dreams for a return to normal have been crushed, but the cream-cheese shortage has struck a particularly sensitive chord, making even the simplest indulgences difficult to enjoy.
It’s still unclear which of the various theories about why the availability of this sour milk product is in short supply. Food shortages have been blamed on a lack of suitable supply, logistical problems, and staffing issues at production plants, according to an Agriculture Department report released this month.
According to other theories, the problem may have been exacerbated by a water supply dispute in Lowville, New York, which is home to Kraft Heinz cream cheese manufacturing.
Paul Pierre, supervisor of public works for the little municipality near the Canadian border, says the plant there used up most of the community’s water system for a few days this summer. “We can only get 1.5 million gallons a day from our watershed,” he stated.
For the hamlet to survive, “when Kraft pulls 1.3, there isn’t much water left.” Lowville began charging an additional fee for exceeding the daily water usage limit of 900,00 in a week or over a million in a single day, which has resulted in the fall of that amount…
Stephanie, who feels there is no relationship between the reduction of water usage and also the national cream-cheese scarcity, said that Kraft, the country’s largest cream cheese maker, has subsequently used around 800,000 gallons a day.
In response, Jenna Thornton, the spokeswoman for Kraft, questioned the water usage idea, pointing instead to robust retail demand — up 18 per cent from 2019 but steady over the last year, according to Kraft’s numbers.
People are eating more breakfasts at home and creating quick desserts, like cheesecake, at home. Compared to a year earlier, demand for bagel shops and other food providers has increased by 75%.
We’ve observed an increase in demand for food service, like bagel cafes, as people feel more comfortable leaving their homes and going to work," Allen said in a message to The Washington Post.
According to Darren Seifer, an f&b industry analyst at the NPD Group, the average American has consumed cream cheese once a month over the previous few years, mainly for breakfast.
As more people put their joggers back on and head back to the office in early 2020, he is unconvinced that an increase in demand is the only factor contributing to the shortfall. There are exceptions to the rule when it comes to restaurants and takeout businesses.
According to owner Alan Rosen, sales at Junior’s have increased by 44% since last year, when many other restaurants selling the brand’s iconic cheesecakes were shut down. According to him, the grocery and mail-order divisions of the company have both increased.
Rosen stated, “I suppose we’ve become a little bit indulgent in our home time.”. Covid 15 may be a joke, but I believe that people are simply savouring their favourite foods more.
Because of late shipments of 120,000 pounds of cream cheese, Rosen reports that Junior’s has recently had to put its production on hold multiple times. The company can only bake when it has a fresh supply of cream cheese because it cannot be frozen.
It appears that several factors, including a lack of workers to staff the usual shifts at manufacturing plants, a scarcity of truck drivers who can transport milk from farms to factories and the finished products to their destinations.
A lag in the production of cream cheese packaging is contributing to the shortage, according to Cornell University agricultural economics professor Christopher Wolf. A cyberattack on a Schreiber Foods plant in October may also be a contributing issue, he suggested.
Summary
The Good Housekeeping Institute advises against using plastic cling wrap to store cheese. Using cling wrap might lead to mould because it traps too much moisture. Wax paper, on the other hand, is what GHI recommends since it manages to keep just the proper amount of moisture in without being overpowering.
Cyberattacks Issues
A cyberattack on the largest cheese maker in the United States has caused a shortage of cream cheese at bagel shops and bakeries. One of America’s most popular cheesemakers, Schreiber Foods in Wisconsin, was forced to shut down for several days in October after a hacker breached its plants and distribution centres.
Even while it may not seem like much time, the corporation is so large that the delayed production had a significant impact on the markets in the United States. Adding insult to injury, the shutdown occurred at a time when demand for cream cheese was at an all-time high.
Cream cheese is a common ingredient in holiday desserts because of the increase in holiday baking and cake sales. To keep up with the demand for cream cheese for their bagels in the morning, more people are shopping at grocery stores.
In addition to the labour shortages and logistical difficulties brought on by the epidemic, cream cheese is perishable, so there aren’t large stocks to fall back on. Insufficient schmear has been available.
“All of this has compounded the cream cheese situation in the country,” said Emma Aer, CEO of Franklin Foods, a competitive cream cheesemaker. “It’s impossible for us to keep up.” Covid-19-era food costs have risen to levels not seen in a decade as a result of inflation and the disruptions brought on by cyberattacks.
In addition to JBS SA, a grain cooperative in Iowa was also the target of hackers this year. Cream cheese is especially susceptible to supply chain difficulties. According to Cornell University agricultural economist Andrew Novakovic.
some manufacturers have had difficulty obtaining starch, a thickening component used in cream cheese, as well as packaging such as plastic film and cardboard boxes. Because cream cheese is a perishable item, having a significant supply on hand isn’t an option.
Finding truck drivers is particularly difficult in the dairy industry due to the additional licence required to pick up milk from farms, according to Novakovic, on top of the broad labour shortage in other industries.
At the same time, demand continues to increase. The cyberattack occurred while Schreiber Foods was operating at full capacity. There has been no change in demand for Schreiber’s cream cheese although the company was able to get its factories back up and running within days.
According to government data, October’s production of cream cheese was 6.9 per cent lower than it was a year earlier. According to Kraft Heinz spokesperson Kathy Krenger, demand for cream cheese in food service was up 75% in November compared to the same month last year, while consumption at home was up 18%.
Her response to me read: “We are maximising our production to satisfy the exceptional demand.”. Junior’s Cheesecake in New York City ran out of cream cheese for the first time in its 71-year history.
Instead of waiting for cream cheese to be delivered, the company drove from the New York region to Philadelphia and picked it up. In a phone conversation, Alan Rosen, the company’s owner, admitted that he couldn’t bake a cheesecake without it. When it comes down to it, there’s no other choice.
Amid the pandemic, individuals are seeking solace in familiar foods, according to Rosen. There has been a 43 per cent year-to-date increase in the company’s wholesale business for cakes made using 4 million pounds of cream cheese that the company produces roughly 5 million cakes per year.
The “Best When Purchased By” date on the carton of Philadelphia Cream Cheese states that an unopened package of cream cheese can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month after the “Best Before” date. Cream cheese, once opened, should be consumed within ten days.
Other Concerns
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Many consumers have experienced goods shortages as a result of the coronavirus epidemic. Everything from books to electrical microchips to running shoes has been in short supply thus far. Cream cheese is the latest food to suffer from scarcity, and it’s not good news.
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Cream cheese is a common ingredient in holiday desserts like cheesecake, which has many bakers on edge. A lack of cream cheese has left many people asking why and if there are any remedies insight. Here’s everything we know and why there’s a cream cheese scarcity.
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Dec. 4, 2021, New York Times report claims that the shortage of cream cheese began in mid-November. There has been an upsurge in demand for Kraft Heinz’s cream cheese, according to a statement from Jenna Thornton, a spokesperson for the firm.
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Despite a 35% increase in cream cheese sales, supply chain concerns have impeded the distribution of the product to supermarket shelves. Everyone’s favourite bagel topping is missing because of labour shortages, a dearth of truck drivers, and a lack of packing supplies.
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According to Bloomberg, a cyberattack on Schreiber Foods, a major U.S. dairy company in October, may have contributed to the cream cheese scarcity. Schreiber Foods’ manufacturing and distribution centres were disrupted by the attack, and the company was forced to shut down for several days.
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Schreiber’s pause in production resulted in a 6.9 per cent decrease in the amount of cream cheese produced. According to Kraft Heinz, the firm that makes Philadelphia Cream Cheese, resolving the problem could take three months.
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Despite this, a corporate representative claimed that they are “maximising our output to meet extraordinary demand.” Approximately 30 to 35 per cent more people will eat cream cheese by 2021 than they did in 2010.
Refrigerate at a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less. When freezing cream cheese in plastic containers, which are softer than foil-wrapped blocks, keep in mind that the cream cheese will lose some of its consistency. If the foil-wrapped cream cheese container has not been opened, store it in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Following are the most Frequently Asked Questions.
What’s up with the cream cheese shortage?
Hackers Prey on a Wide Range of Sectors, Including the Cream Cheese Industry. A cyberattack is the primary cause of scarcity. A wave of cyberattacks was launched in late 2021 against a wide range of businesses and organisations, including meat packers, police forces and even cream cheese manufacturers.
Why is there a lack of cream cheese?
Restaurants and suppliers have been forced to think outside the box because of a lack of cream cheese. Some consumers who can’t obtain Philadelphia cream cheese in time to create holiday cheesecake may get a refund from Kraft, the company that owns the brand.
Is there a scarcity of cream cheese at the moment?
A hack in October and supply chain concerns meant that cream cheese was not exempt from the pandemic’s reach. A shortage of a common component used in many dips for the big game arose over the holidays in 2021 and continued into February.
What is causing a shortage of cream cheese in 2022?
Cream cheese production was affected in December by workforce shortages caused by COVID and a cyberattack on Schreiber Foods. Some regions have continued to have shortages into late February as a result.
Why can’t I find Philadelphia cream cheese?
The coronavirus pandemic’s latest supply problem is a scarcity of cream cheese. To begin with, it was difficult to find toilet paper and cleaning supplies… With a global pandemic, factory closures, and overcrowded shipping ports, it may be difficult to buy gifts for your loved ones this holiday season.
In what city is Philadelphia cream cheese produced?
For nearly 140 years, PHILADELPHIA has been the most popular cream cheese in the United States. Fresh milk is the starting point of every tale in our creameries in Dam, Wisconsin, and Lowville, New York. It takes just six days from the farm to our creamery’s refrigerators for us to blend it with fresh, pure cream.
Is it possible to store cream cheese in the freezer?
Keeping cream cheese in the freezer will help it last longer. Frozen cream cheese, on the other hand, will lose its smooth consistency and become quite gritty. Additionally, it can become more crumbly when frozen, making it hard to distribute.
Is Philadelphia cream cheese being recalled?
As a precautionary measure, Kraft is recalling Philadelphia Cream Cheese. They were sold at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, but have since been taken off the market.
What gives Philadelphia cream cheese its name?
Kraft Heinz says Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York in 1872 and renamed in 1880 as part of a marketing plan to identify the product with the high-quality food and dairy farming that the Philadelphia area was known for at the time of its creation in 1872.
Are mascarpones and cream cheeses the same food item?
American-style cream cheese is firmer and more flavorful than Italian-style cream cheese, despite their identical appearance and use. In terms of texture and flavour, it’s a lot like double-crème brie. Mascarpone has 75 per cent butterfat, compared to American cream cheese’s 55 per cent.
Conclusion
Big pools of liquid and a dried-out surface in your cream cheese indicate that it has gone bad and should not be eaten. Cream cheese is fine if it has a small amount of liquid on the top. You don’t have to worry about it because it’s normal (see the photo earlier in the article).
Vacuum-sealing the dip or pressing plastic wrap directly on it is the best way to keep it from getting ice crystals while it’s frozen. Use a plastic container or foil-wrapped aluminium foil to hold plastic in place if you’re removing air.
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