Cheese is a beloved ingredient in many dishes and snacks. But for those avoiding pork, certain types of cheese may be off-limits. Some cheeses contain pork enzymes that are used during production. Knowing what cheeses contain pork can help you make informed choices when shopping for dairy products.
Pork enzymes like rennet and pepsin are added during the cheesemaking process to help coagulate and curdle the milk. The enzymes help separate the milk solids from the liquid whey. This leads to the final solid, fatty cheese product we all love.
While pork enzymes get the credit for better texture and flavor, they also exclude certain consumers like vegetarians, people following religious dietary laws, and those with pork allergies Read on to learn more about cheese and pork enzymes so you can peruse the deli counter with confidence
Common Cheeses That Contain Pork Enzymes
According to cheesemakers, the most popular types of cheese that often use pork enzymes include
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Parmesan – This hard Italian cheese gets its distinctive flaky texture from rennet. Look for vegetarian labels if avoiding pork.
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Feta – Pork rennet helps give this Mediterranean cheese its signature crumbly quality. Opt for veggie-friendly feta.
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Cheddar – Traditional cheddar recipes call for animal rennet to develop that sharp, tangy flavor. Seek out vegetarian cheddar or nip the aged English varieties.
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Gouda – Pork enzymes lead to Gouda’s smooth texture and salty flavor. Check labels for vegetarian options.
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Blue Cheese – Pensin is added to blue cheese for that characteristic veining and pungent taste. Pick a blue made with vegetarian enzymes.
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Mozzarella – For delicious melted mozzarella, like on pizza, rennet is typically used. But veggie alternatives exist.
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Brie – Buttery brie often contains pork enzymes for its soft ripeness. Thankfully, veggie brie is easy to find.
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Ricotta – Rennet gives ricotta its curds, used in lasagna and cheesecake. Opt for brands specifying vegetarian enzymes.
Cheeses Made Without Pork Enzymes
Luckily, veggie-friendly cheese options abound for those avoiding pork products:
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Cottage Cheese – The curds in cottage cheese come from the natural acidity of the milk rather than enzymes. Pork-free!
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Cream Cheese – With its spreadable texture, cream cheese relies on thickening agents, not pork additives.
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Mascarpone – No rennet needed for this rich, creamy Italian cheese. Perfect for tiramisu.
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Labneh – A strained yogurt product, labneh uses yogurt’s natural cultures, not outside enzymes.
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Queso Blanco – This mild, soft Mexican cheese gets its crumbles from acid, not pork enzymes.
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Paneer – Vegetarian acid and heat thicken paneer’s milk base instead of questionable enzymes.
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Halloumi – No animal-derived enzymes needed for this grillable Cypriot cheese.
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Burrata – This fresh Italian cheese is made from mozzarella and cream with no pork products.
How to Know if a Cheese Contains Pork Enzymes
Reading labels carefully is the best way to identify cheeses containing pork enzymes or animal-based rennet. Here’s what to look for:
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Check ingredient lists for enzymes/rennet and their sources – if animal, pork is likely.
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Seek out labels specifying “vegetarian enzymes or rennet” for pork-free.
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Look for kosher certification as kosher guidelines prohibit pork and mix of meat/dairy.
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Call or email manufacturers if enzyme source isn’t clear. Many are happy to share specifics.
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When in doubt, traditional versions likely contain pork while “modern” styles often exclude it.
Vegetarian Cheese Alternatives
Thankfully, vegetarian cheese options are widely available for those avoiding pork enzymes:
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Vegetable-based enzymes like artichoke, safflower or microbial give the same effects as animal rennet without the pork.
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Nutritional yeast can mimic cheesy flavor in dairy-free “cheese” made from nuts or vegetables.
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Processed sliced “cheese” relies on emulsifying salts rather than questionable enzymes.
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Vegan cheese replaces dairy with plant-based ingredients like soy, nuts, tapioca, etc.
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Aged and hard cheeses are less likely to use animal enzymes compared to soft, fresh varieties.
With all the info above, you can continue enjoying cheese on a pork-free diet. Just opt for the many high-quality cheeses made without traditional animal enzymes. From feta crumbles on your salad to gooey mozzarella on your pizza, cheese doesn’t have to be off-limits when you avoid pork products. A little label reading and asking manufacturers questions goes a long way. Soon you’ll be able to dive right into that delicious cheese platter or cheese course again!
U.S. Products Made Without Pork (Porcine) Enzymes
Enzymes are occasionally used to produce a wide variety of food products. For example, most cheese is made using enzymes to help develop unique flavors. There are enzymes that come from plants, microbes, and animals, depending on the type of cheese flavor that is being made. Porcine enzymes, which are animal enzymes that come from pork, are used to make cheese in some of our cheese seasonings.
For those in the U. S. people who choose to avoid foods that contain pork, the list below includes some Frito-Lay snacks that don’t have pork enzymes. If you can’t find your favorite Frito-Lay snack on this list, feel free to get in touch with our Frito-Lay Consumer Relations Team. The list of Kosher products on this website is another guide that might be useful.
Please note: The information provided pertains only to products distributed in the U. S. Products sold in other countries under similar brands may be made with slightly different ingredients and recipes to meet the needs and tastes of those countries.
Click on the brand logo for specific products.
Last Updated April 26, 2024
Are animal enzymes halal? For example cheese, and some breads with mono-diglycerides
FAQ
Is cheese made with pork enzymes?
What cheese is made with pork rennet?
Which cheese contain pig fat?
Is there any pork cheese?
Does Cheese contain pork enzymes?
Powdered cheeses on chips, boxed macaroni and cheese, or any store-bought item that doesn’t have 100% dairy cheese may contain pork enzymes. On the other hand, manufacturers use some animal enzymes, usually cows, in the early stages of cheese making. So if the label states animal enzymes, they might have used pork instead of cow.
What foods contain lots of digestive enzymes?
There are several foods that contain natural digestive enzymes. Some of these foods include certain fruits like pineapple and papaya, which contain digestive enzymes called bromelain and papain, respectively. These enzymes are proteases, which break down protein into its building blocks, including amino acids. Other fruits that contain digestive enzymes include mango, kiwi, and banana. Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir also contain digestive enzymes.
Where do cheese enzymes come from?
The enzymes used may come from vegetable, microbial and/or animal sources, depending on the particular cheese flavor being developed. Animal enzymes that are derived from pork (also called “porcine enzymes”) are used to develop the cheese in some of our cheese seasonings.
Does cream cheese have a pork flavor?
Cream Cheese with a bacon flavor has a high chance of pork portraying the porky taste. Still, it can also contain gelatin to thicken the composition of cream cheese. As a result, cream cheese must be thicker to spread on a cracker as a snack. Some cream cheeses don’t use gelatin and might use vegetable derivatives instead.