Bushra Griffith
Kraft, the largest cheese company in America, has stated that their Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese may contain lipase, an enzyme derived from animal tissue. Rennet, another enzyme used in cheese-making, is also often sourced from animals, specifically from the stomach lining of slaughtered cows, sheep, or goats. Kraft has confirmed that their Parmesan and Romano Cheese Blend is made with microbial rennet, but the presence of lipase means that some of their products are not strictly vegetarian.
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What You'll Learn
- Kraft Grated Parmesan may contain lipase, which is from an animal source
- Kraft says its Parmesan uses microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes from animal tissue
- Kraft products with 'enzymes' on the label may contain animal-derived enzymes
- Kraft Parmesan Cheese is not vegetarian if it lists lipase as an ingredient
- Kraft is the largest cheese company in America
Kraft Grated Parmesan may contain lipase, which is from an animal source
Kraft Grated Parmesan may contain lipase, an animal-sourced enzyme that develops the flavour of mild to older cheeses. Lipase is taken from the stomachs of slaughtered calves and lambs. If "lipase" appears in the ingredient list of a Kraft product, it is of animal origin.
Kraft, the largest cheese company in America, has stated that when the word "enzymes" appears on a label without further clarification, it means that both animal-derived and microbial-derived enzymes may have been used. However, Kraft also emphasises that the product packaging is the best place to find ingredient information for a specific product.
Kraft Grated Parmesan utilises microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes extracted from animal tissue. Rennet is a complex group of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach to digest milk and is often used in cheese production. It causes milk to separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). While microbial rennet is not derived from animal tissue, it may still be obtained from animal sources, such as rennet derived from calves.
Some Kraft products do use animal-derived enzymes. For example, a Kraft representative stated that Kraft Macaroni & Cheese contains enzymes derived from calves and sheep. Additionally, Kraft has confirmed that their Parmesan and Romano Cheese Blend uses microbial rennet, but animal-derived lipase is also added to impart a distinctive flavour to the Romano cheese.
To summarise, Kraft Grated Parmesan may contain lipase, which is an animal-derived enzyme. However, it is important to check the ingredient list of the specific product, as Kraft uses both animal-derived and microbial enzymes in their products.
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Kraft says its Parmesan uses microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes from animal tissue
Kraft has stated that their Parmesan cheese uses microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes from animal tissue. Rennet is a complex grouping of enzymes produced in mammalian stomachs to digest milk. It is often used in the production of cheese, causing milk to separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). While microbial rennet is suitable for vegetarians, traditional rennet is not, as it is sourced from the stomach lining of slaughtered cows, sheep, goats, or pigs.
Kraft's statement on their use of microbial rennet provides some assurance for consumers who wish to avoid animal-derived products. However, it is important to note that their Parmesan cheese may still contain animal-derived ingredients. Some sources indicate that Kraft Parmesan may contain lipase, an enzyme that develops the flavor of mild to older cheeses. Lipase is derived from the stomachs of slaughtered calves and lambs, and its presence in Kraft Parmesan would mean that the product is not vegetarian.
To clarify, Kraft has been contacted directly by individuals seeking information about the enzymes used in their Parmesan cheese. In their responses, Kraft has confirmed that they only use enzymes purchased from reputable suppliers for processing their various lines of cheese. They have not explicitly denied the use of animal-derived enzymes, but they have emphasized that their Grated Parmesan utilizes microbial rennet.
The ambiguity surrounding the use of "enzymes" as a blanket term on Kraft's product labels adds to the uncertainty. Kraft has stated that when the word "enzymes" appears on a label without further specification, it indicates that either animal-derived or microbial-derived enzymes could have been used. This lack of transparency leaves consumers who wish to make informed choices about their cheese consumption with limited information.
To conclusively determine whether Kraft Parmesan contains animal-derived enzymes, consumers are advised to check the ingredient list on the product packaging. If "lipase" is listed, it confirms the presence of animal-derived enzymes, rendering the product non-vegetarian. However, if "lipase" is absent from the ingredients, it suggests that Kraft's claim about using microbial rennet in their Grated Parmesan is accurate, making the product suitable for vegetarians concerned about animal-derived rennet.
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Kraft products with 'enzymes' on the label may contain animal-derived enzymes
Kraft, the largest cheese company in America, has stated that when the word 'enzymes' appears on a label without any modifiers, it indicates that both animal-derived and microbial-derived enzymes may have been used in the product. This is because there are multiple sources of enzymes, including plants, fungi, and microbial sources, which can substitute for animal rennet.
Kraft has emphasized that the box in the store is the best place to find ingredient information for a specific Kraft product. However, some Kraft products with enzymes on the label may contain animal-derived enzymes. For instance, Kraft's Parmesan and Romano Cheese Blend is made with microbial rennet, but it also uses animal-derived lipase to impart a distinctive flavor to the Romano cheese. The animal source is not listed on the label.
Kraft Natural Swiss and Kraft Grated Parmesan utilize microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes extracted from animal tissue. However, Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese may contain lipase, an animal-sourced enzyme. Lipase develops the flavor of mild to older-flavored cheeses. If the word "lipase" appears in the ingredient list of a Kraft product, it is of animal origin, as lipase is derived from the stomachs of slaughtered calves and lambs.
To clarify, if a Kraft product contains lipase, it is not vegetarian, but if it does not have lipase listed as an ingredient, it is vegetarian, as they use microbial rennet in their Kraft grated parmesan cheese. Therefore, it is essential to carefully read the ingredient list to determine whether a Kraft product with enzymes on the label contains animal-derived enzymes.
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Kraft Parmesan Cheese is not vegetarian if it lists lipase as an ingredient
Kraft Parmesan Cheese may not be suitable for vegetarian diets if it lists lipase as an ingredient. Lipase is an animal-sourced enzyme that develops the flavour of mild to older cheeses. It is derived from the stomachs of slaughtered calves and lambs.
Kraft, the largest cheese company in America, has stated that when the ingredient label on its products simply says "enzymes", it means that both animal-derived and microbial-derived enzymes may have been used. However, Kraft also notes that when microbial rennet is used, it will be explicitly labelled as "microbial rennet".
In the context of Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese, the company has confirmed that this product utilizes microbial rennet, which is not made with enzymes extracted from animal tissue. However, it may still contain lipase from animal sources. Therefore, it is essential to check the ingredient list. If "lipase" appears as an ingredient, the product is not vegetarian.
It is worth noting that Kraft has been contacted multiple times regarding the ingredients in its Parmesan cheese, and the company has consistently responded that it uses enzymes purchased from reputable suppliers without providing specific details. This lack of transparency has led to uncertainty among consumers about the suitability of Kraft Parmesan Cheese for vegetarian diets.
To ensure that Kraft Parmesan Cheese aligns with a vegetarian diet, it is recommended to look for the ingredient list on the product packaging. If "lipase" is not listed as an ingredient, the cheese is considered vegetarian, as it indicates the absence of animal-derived enzymes.
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Kraft is the largest cheese company in America
Kraft Parmesan cheese may or may not contain animal rennet, depending on the presence of lipase in the ingredient list. Lipase is an animal-sourced enzyme derived from the stomachs of slaughtered calves and lambs, and its presence indicates that the product is not vegetarian. Kraft Parmesan cheese that does not contain lipase is considered vegetarian, as the company uses microbial rennet in its production.
Kraft, a division of Kraft Heinz Company, is one of the largest food and beverage manufacturers in the world. The company has a significant presence in the cheese industry, with cheese being one of its core businesses.
The history of Kraft as a cheese company began in 1903 when James L. Kraft immigrated to the United States and started a wholesale cheese business in Chicago. In 1909, he was joined by his four brothers, and together, they formed the J.L. Kraft and Bros. Company. By 1914, the company was selling 31 varieties of cheese across the United States due to heavy product development, marketing expansion, and the establishment of a wholly-owned cheese factory in Stockton, Illinois.
In 1927, Kraft established its first international sales offices in London, United Kingdom, and Hamburg, Germany. The following year, in 1928, Kraft acquired the Phenix Cheese Company, the maker of Philadelphia cream cheese. This acquisition solidified Kraft's presence in the cheese industry, and by 1930, the company had captured forty percent of the cheese market in the United States, becoming the third-largest dairy company in the country.
Over the years, Kraft continued to expand and diversify its business through various acquisitions and mergers. In 1987, Kraft acquired General Host's All American Gourmet Co. unit, and in 1999, Premark International (formerly a spinoff of Kraft's non-food business) was bought by Illinois Tool Works. In 2006, Kraft became an official partner and sponsor of Major League Soccer and the National Hockey League, further promoting its brand.
In 2011, Kraft announced plans to split into two companies: a North American grocery products business and a global snacks company. The snack company, Mondelez International Inc., became the legal successor to Kraft Foods Inc., while the grocery company retained the name Kraft Foods. Finally, in 2015, Kraft Foods merged with H.J. Heinz Holding Corporation to form Kraft Heinz, further solidifying its position as one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Kraft Parmesan cheese may contain animal rennet. Kraft has stated that their Parmesan cheese uses microbial rennet, but some sources indicate that it may also contain lipase, an animal-derived enzyme.
Check the ingredient list on the product packaging. If lipase is listed, then the product contains animal-derived enzymes and is not vegetarian. If lipase is not listed, the product is likely vegetarian.
Lipase is an enzyme derived from the stomachs of slaughtered calves, lambs, cows, sheep, or goats. It is used to develop the flavor of mild to older-flavored cheeses.
Yes, there are several vegetarian and vegan alternatives to Kraft Parmesan cheese available in mainstream grocery stores and online. Examples include Go Veggie parmesan and NOOCH IT!.
