Polly-O
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cheese production |
| Founded | 1899 |
| Founder | Giuseppe Pollio |
| Fate | Acquired by Kraft Foods Inc. (1986); transferred to BelGioioso Cheese Inc. (2021) |
| Headquarters | Campbell , United States |
| Products | Ricotta, mozzarella, string cheese |
| Owner | BelGioioso Cheese Inc. |
Polly-O represents a prominent American cheese brand under the ownership of BelGioioso Cheese Inc.. The enterprise was founded in 1899 by Giuseppe Pollio and functioned as an independent business until its purchase by Kraft Foods Inc. in 1986. Kraft maintained control of the brand until 2020, at which point it divested its natural cheese segment to Groupe Lactalis.
Following a US Department of Justice antitrust review regarding Lactalis's acquisition from Kraft Heinz, Polly-O was transferred to Belgioioso Cheese in 2021.
Overview
Founded in 1899 by Giuseppe Pollio in Brooklyn, Polly-O introduced authentic Italian cheesemaking traditions to the American market. Pollio, who immigrated via Ellis Island, began his venture by setting up ricotta and mozzarella kettles along the shores of Coney Island. The company adopted the Polly-O name during the 1940s to distance itself from any negative connotations linked to the polio outbreak.
Polly-O offers a range of products including ricotta, mozzarella, and string cheese, which are distributed extensively throughout grocery stores across the United States. The majority of its manufacturing is based in Campbell, New York. As one of the leading producers of Italian-style cheeses domestically, Polly-O produces close to 100 million pounds annually. Its string cheese has received acclaim within industry circles for its superior quality and artisanal production.