Does Kraft Cheese Contain Pork Enzymes? Examining the Facts

There are many popular kinds of cheese made by Kraft in the United States, such as cheddar, American, and cream cheese. But for people who don’t eat pork because of their religion, morals, or diet, an important question comes up: do Kraft cheeses contain enzymes that come from pork? Let’s look at the facts.

How Cheese is Made

Cheese production involves curdling milk to separate curds from whey. There are a few methods to cause this curdling:

• Acid coagulation – Adding an acidic ingredient like vinegar or lemon juice Used for paneer and ricotta,

• Heat coagulation – Heating milk to denature proteins. Used for queso fresco.

• Enzyme coagulation – Adding rennet enzymes to curdle milk. Used for most cheese types.

What is Rennet?

Most cheeses use enzyme coagulation with rennet to curdle the milk Rennet contains proteolytic enzymes that split proteins in milk to form curds which become cheese There are four types of rennet

• Animal rennet is made from enzymes that are taken from the stomach lining of young goats, calves, or lambs.

• Vegetable rennet – Enzymes from plants like fig leaves, nettles, or thistles.

• Microbial rennet – Enzymes produced by culturing mold.

• Genetically engineered rennet – Enzymes created in a lab using recombinant DNA.

For cheese to be vegetarian, it must use vegetable, microbial, or genetically engineered rennet, not animal rennet.

Kraft’s Response on Their Use of Animal Rennet

When asked directly about their cheeses, Kraft stated:

• Some Kraft cheeses contain animal-derived enzymes from calf, kid, or lamb stomach lining.

• These animal rennets help develop flavor and texture.

• The animal rennet is not pork-derived and Kraft does not use pork enzymes.

List of Kraft Cheeses Containing Animal Rennet

According to Kraft’s statements, the following cheeses contain animal-derived enzymes:

• Cheddar (sharp, extra sharp)

• American Singles

• Velveeta

• Deli Deluxe

Kraft did not indicate that the animal rennet is from halal slaughtered animals. So these cheeses would not be considered halal.

Kraft Cheeses Without Animal Rennet

Kraft stated these cheeses use microbial rennet and contain no animal enzymes:

• Philadelphia Cream Cheese

• Grated Parmesan

• Grated Romano

• Natural Swiss

These would be suitable for vegetarians, as well as those avoiding pork. However, Kraft does not guarantee these are halal certified either.

Why Do Myths About Pork Persist?

Despite Kraft’s transparency on sources, myths continue alleging Kraft uses pork enzymes in cheeses. Potential reasons include:

• Confusing cheese enzymes with pig-derived gelatin used in some yogurt, ice cream, and candy products. But gelatin is not used in Kraft cheeses.

• Assuming all animal rennet comes from pigs. But kosher laws prohibit pig-derived enzymes in cheese, and Kraft specifically states they use calf, lamb, or kid rennet sources.

• Believing red food dye in some orange cheeses comes from insects. But Kraft uses artificial colors, not natural dyes.

• Distrust or unfamiliarity with how large corporations source ingredients. But Kraft directly confirms no pork enzymes are used.

Can People Avoiding Pork Eat Kraft Cheese?

Kraft clearly states they do not use pork enzymes in any cheeses. However:

• Vegans should avoid all Kraft cheeses, including those made with microbial rennet, due to dairy content.

• Vegetarians can eat the microbial rennet cheeses but not those containing calf, lamb, or kid rennet.

• Kosher consumers can eat cheeses Kraft labels “kosher” but should avoid others.

• Muslims and others avoiding pork can eat microbially-coagulated cheeses but not those with animal rennet.

By providing transparent information on enzymes, Kraft allows customers to decide which cheeses fit their dietary needs. While some varieties are off limits for pork-avoiding consumers, others align with halal, kosher, and vegetarian diets.