kraft

Kraft is a German noun meaning strength or power. In physics, the term is used in German to denote force. The word has been adopted into many languages and is also used as a surname and in the names of companies and products.

Kraft paper is a sturdy, unbleached paper produced from kraft pulp, known for its strength and natural brown color. It is widely used for bags, wrapping, and other packaging applications, and the term kraft broadly refers to this class of material.

Kraft Foods originated in 1903 when James L. Kraft founded the Kraft Cheese Company in Chicago, advancing pasteurized processed cheese. It expanded into a diversified packaged-food company and later became Kraft Foods Inc. In 2012, Kraft split into Kraft Foods Group (North America) and Mondelez International (snacks). In 2015, Kraft Foods Group merged with Heinz to form Kraft Heinz Company, a multinational food company co-headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Notable Kraft Heinz brands and products include Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Velveeta, Oscar Mayer, and Planters. The Kraft name remains closely associated with processed cheese, ready-to-eat meals, and various packaged foods in North America and beyond.