Bushra Griffith
Many companies do not specify on their packaging whether the rennet in their cheese is derived from animals or not. Pizza Hut, for example, uses non-animal rennet in their cheese, while Digiorno uses animal rennet in their Asiago and Romano cheeses. Some companies, such as Amy's and Sweet Earth, market their products as vegetarian and do not use animal rennet, while others, like Sonoma Flatbreads, offer vegan options but may not be transparent about the use of animal rennet in their cheese pizzas. It is important for vegetarians and those avoiding animal rennet to contact companies directly or refer to specific guides to make informed choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza Hut | Uses non-animal rennet in their cheese |
| Digiorno | All cheese pizzas contain animal rennet |
| Jack's | Rising Crust Cheese Pizza does not contain animal rennet |
| Sweet Earth | Do not use animal rennet in their products |
| Sonoma Flatbreads | Dairy-Free Fire Roasted Vegetables pizza is vegan |
| Amy's | Do not use animal rennet in their pizzas |
| Caulipower | Veggie, Margherita, and Plain Crust Pizzas are vegetarian and free of animal rennet |
| The Pizza Guys | Use microbial rennet (non-animal sourced) |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut uses non-animal rennet in its cheese
It is unclear whether Pizza Hut uses animal rennet in its cheese. While some sources claim that Pizza Hut uses non-animal rennet in its cheese, others suggest that certain types of cheese at Pizza Hut do contain animal rennet.
Pizza Hut's customer support states that they use non-animal rennet in their cheese. Additionally, according to a source dated November 2019, the regular pizza cheese at Pizza Hut does not use animal enzymes.
On the other hand, another source mentions that the Parmesan Romano cheese blend added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, Ultimate Cheese Pizza, and some dine-in products contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet. This discrepancy in information may be due to differences in the menu offerings or ingredients used across different regions.
It is worth noting that Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be vegetarian or vegan, as all items are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven. However, upon request, the restaurant team will use additional caution when preparing products for guests with specific dietary requirements.
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Digiorno's four- and five-cheese pizzas contain animal rennet
Digiorno's four- and five-cheese pizzas likely contain animal rennet. This is because the Romano and Asiago cheeses used in these pizzas contain animal rennet.
Digiorno's Pizzeria! Bianca/White may be an exception, as ricotta cheese—one of the ingredients—does not contain rennet. However, because ricotta is traditionally made from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses, it could "accidentally" contain traces of animal rennet.
Some pizza companies, like Red Baron, use non-animal rennet in their cheese pizzas. Red Baron's Classic Crust 4 Cheese Pizza, for example, does not use animal-sourced rennet.
Animal rennet is an enzyme produced in the stomachs of ruminant animals. It is commonly used in cheese production to curdle milk, separating it into solid curds and liquid whey. Rennet is essential for making hard cheeses, and some pizza companies choose to use microbial rennet, which is produced by microorganisms rather than animals.
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Sweet Earth does not use animal enzymes in its products
Sweet Earth is a natural foods company based in Moss Landing, California, that manufactures its products in-house at a 40,000 sq ft facility. The company creates plant-based alternatives to meat products, such as burritos, entrees, breakfast sandwiches, veggie burgers, and seitan. Sweet Earth is not a self-proclaimed 'meat-alternative' brand, but rather a company that sells "delicious food that happens to contain no meat".
Sweet Earth's products are available in over 10,300 stores across the US, including Target, Kroger, and Walmart. The company's products are marketed towards millennials, who are increasingly seeking out plant-based foods that are flavourful, diverse, and interesting. Sweet Earth's products are also labelled as vegan or vegetarian on the front of the packaging, making it easy for consumers to identify.
When it comes to pizza cheese, some companies, like Pizza Hut, use non-animal rennet in their cheese, while others may use animal-based rennet. It is always important to check the ingredients and product information to be sure.
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Amy's does not use animal rennet in its pizzas
Amy's Kitchen does not use animal rennet in its pizzas. The company has always insisted that no animal enzymes or GMO-derived enzymes be used in any of the cheeses made for them. Amy's makes it clear on their packaging and website that none of their pizzas use animal rennet.
The use of animal rennet in cheese is a concern for vegetarians because it is an enzyme sourced from calves' stomachs. This means that an animal has to die for it, unlike dairy and eggs, which many vegetarians do consume. In the past, rennet was always derived from calves' stomachs, but over the last few decades, microbial and vegetarian rennet has been developed, which can be used to make high-quality cheese without animal-based ingredients.
Amy's is not the only company to offer vegetarian-friendly pizzas. For example, Digiorno Pizzeria! Bianca/White and Daiya frozen pizzas are also free of animal rennet. Additionally, some pizza companies offer vegan options, such as Pizza Hut, which uses non-animal rennet in its cheese, and Amy's Kitchen, which offers a Dairy-Free Fire Roasted Vegetables pizza.
It is important to note that some cheeses are more likely to contain animal rennet than others. For example, Asiago cheese may contain animal enzymes, and ricotta might accidentally contain rennet because it is traditionally made from the whey left over from the production of other cheeses. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the ingredients and company policies before consuming a product if you are concerned about the presence of animal rennet.
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Caulipower's Three Cheese Pizza contains animal rennet
It is unclear whether Caulipower's Three Cheese Pizza contains animal rennet as the company does not explicitly state whether they use animal rennet or not in their products. However, the pizza does contain a variety of cheeses, including mozzarella, parmesan, and white cheddar, which are typically made using animal rennet.
Animal rennet is a complex mixture of proteins that are produced in the stomachs of young ruminant animals, such as calves, lambs, and goats. It is commonly used in the production of cheese to curdle the milk, separating it into solid curds and liquid whey. This process is essential for creating the firm texture and flavour characteristic of many types of cheese.
While some cheeses, particularly those made from vegetarian sources, use non-animal rennet substitutes like microbial transglutaminase or vegetable rennet, it is difficult to ascertain whether Caulipower uses these alternatives.
To clarify whether Caulipower's Three Cheese Pizza contains animal rennet, it would be advisable to contact the company directly or refer to more detailed product information.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the pizza company. Some companies like Pizza Hut and Pizza Guys use non-animal rennet in their cheese. On the other hand, companies like Digiorno and Jack's have pizzas with animal rennet.
Many companies don't specify on their packaging if the rennet in their cheese is derived from animals or not. This is because, in some cases, customer service employees are either unaware of what rennet is or are unsure of where to find the information.
Yes, Amy's and Caulipower clearly mention on their packaging and websites that their pizzas do not use animal rennet.
Yes, Sonoma Flatbreads is known for its gluten-free pizzas, and one of them is also vegan—the Dairy-Free Fire Roasted Vegetables pizza.
Yes, a Reddit user tried to get in touch with Sonoma Flatbreads regarding their Four Cheese Pizza but did not receive a clear answer. The user suspected that the pizza might contain animal rennet due to the presence of Asiago cheese.
