Kamil Perry
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a popular food item, but is it vegetarian? The answer is no, it is not vegetarian. This is because the cheese in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contains rennet, which is derived from animal sources such as the stomach lining of slaughtered cows, sheep, and goats. However, there are now plant-based alternatives available, and other vegetarian options on the market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Ingredients | Enriched macaroni (wheat flour, durum flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate [iron], thiamin mononitrate [vitamin b1], riboflavin [vitamin b2], folic acid), cheese sauce mix (whey, milkfat, salt, milk protein concentrate, sodium triphosphate, contains less than 2% of tapioca flour, citric acid, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, lactic acid, with paprika, turmeric, and annatto added for color, cheese culture, enzymes) |
| Alternative vegetarian options | Annie's brand macaroni and cheese |
| Plant-based option | Kraft Heinz Company and NotCo launched a plant-based mac and cheese line at the end of 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Kraft Mac & Cheese is not vegetarian
While Kraft's original Mac & Cheese is not vegetarian, the company has recently launched a vegan alternative. This product, called Kraft Plant-Based Mac and Cheese, is a vegan alternative to the original blue box mac and cheese. It is the result of a partnership between Kraft Heinz and NotCo. The product comes in two varieties: Original and White Cheddar Style. The preparation method is the same as the original, and the texture and consistency are nearly identical to the non-vegan version. However, the taste is not as similar, with a sweetness that some may find off-putting.
The vegan version is more expensive than the original, with a box costing $3.80, which is more than twice the price of the original. It also has a shorter shelf life than the original boxed mac and cheese.
For those looking for vegetarian alternatives to Kraft Mac & Cheese, Annie's brand macaroni and cheese is a good option. Their enzymes are sourced from both animal and vegetarian sources, and they clearly label "non-animal enzymes" on their ingredient list, so consumers know their product is vegetarian.
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Rennet derived from animal stomachs
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is not vegetarian because it contains rennet, which is derived from animal stomachs. Rennet is a set of enzymes that cause milk to coagulate and separate into solid curds and liquid whey. This process is a crucial step in cheesemaking.
Rennet is traditionally derived from the stomach lining of slaughtered cows, sheep, goats, or calves, which are young, nursing cows that have not yet been weaned. The enzymes in the stomach lining of these animals slow down the digestion of milk, turning it into a solid so that the baby animal can absorb the nutrients. Calf rennet, in particular, is extracted from the inner mucosa of the fourth stomach chamber (the abomasum) and is a byproduct of veal production.
While animal rennet is the traditional source of rennet enzymes, there are now vegetarian alternatives. These alternatives include microbial rennet, which can be created in a lab or derived from plants, fungi, or mushrooms. Some microbial rennet is produced using GMO technology, but non-GMO versions are also available. In addition, some traditional cheese production in the Mediterranean uses enzymes from plants like thistle or Cynara (artichokes and cardoons).
The use of animal rennet in cheesemaking has been declining due to the availability of vegetarian alternatives that are less expensive and more efficient. Today, less than 5% of cheese in the United States is made using animal rennet, and most cheese is produced using chymosin derived from bacterial sources. However, as seen in the case of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, some products still use animal-derived rennet, which makes them unsuitable for vegetarians.
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Vegetarian alternatives available
Kraft Mac & Cheese is not vegetarian-friendly, as the cheese contains rennet derived from animal sources. However, there are several vegetarian alternatives available:
Annie's Macaroni and Cheese
Annie's Mac and Cheese is a vegetarian option, as it uses non-animal enzymes. It is also vegan-friendly and gluten-free. The brand also offers a range of other vegetarian and vegan frozen meals.
Kraft Plant-Based Mac and Cheese
Kraft has recently launched a plant-based, vegan version of its classic blue box mac and cheese. It comes in two flavors: Original and White Cheddar Style. The product is dairy-free and does not contain any animal byproducts.
O Organics Boxed Vegan Mac and Cheese
O Organics, a brand available at Albertsons-owned grocery stores, offers a vegan mac and cheese that tastes remarkably similar to the classic Kraft version.
Goodles Vegan Mac and Cheese
Goodles' vegan mac and cheese was ranked highly by Sporked.com.
Amy's Kitchen
Amy's Kitchen offers a range of vegetarian and vegan frozen meals. Their products do not contain eggs, and their vegan items are clearly labelled.
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Vegan Kraft Mac & Cheese launched in 2023
Kraft Mac & Cheese is not vegetarian, as the cheese powder in the packets contains enzymes derived from animal sources, such as calves, goats, and sheep. However, in recent years, the company has recognized the growing demand for vegan and vegetarian options and has launched plant-based alternatives.
In November 2023, The Kraft Heinz Not Company proudly announced the launch of Kraft NotMac&Cheese, the first-ever plant-based Kraft Mac & Cheese in the United States. This groundbreaking launch was the result of a joint venture between Kraft Heinz and TheNotCompany (NotCo), a Chilean plant-based food-tech company. The product is available in two flavors: Original and White Cheddar.
The CEO of The Kraft Heinz Not Company, Lucho Lopez-May, emphasized that their company creates plant-based versions of fan-favorite foods that taste like the original but without requiring people to drastically change their eating habits. This innovation aims to offer the creamy and comforting experience of Kraft Mac & Cheese without the dairy, revolutionizing plant-based foods.
The launch of Kraft NotMac&Cheese is part of Kraft Heinz's expanding portfolio of plant-based offerings, which includes products like Kraft NotCheese Slices and NotMayo. The company has ambitious plans for the future, including scaling into multiple categories and initiating international expansion in 2024.
Kraft has also shown its commitment to embracing evolving consumer preferences by encouraging consumers to submit their best mac and cheese ideas, including vegan options. The company launched a contest inviting participants to share their innovative hacks for creating rich and flavorful mac and cheese, whether through dairy-free cheeses, unique spice blends, or unconventional toppings. This contest reflects Kraft's recognition of the growing demand for vegan alternatives and the diverse ways in which people personalize their plant-based comfort food.
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Kraft's vegan option is more expensive
Kraft Mac & Cheese is not vegetarian-friendly. The cheese powder in the packets contains enzymes derived from animal sources, such as calves, goats, and sheep. However, Kraft has recently launched a vegan alternative to their classic blue box mac and cheese. This plant-based option is made in partnership with NotCo and comes in two flavors: Original and White Cheddar Style.
The vegan option is more expensive than the original Kraft Mac & Cheese. At $3.80 a box, it is well over twice the price of the original. While it is less expensive than some other vegan boxed mac and cheese brands, it is still relatively costly. The higher price is a drawback for those who wish to stock up on boxes, as the product also has a shorter shelf life than traditional boxed mac and cheese.
The preparation method for the vegan option is the same as the original. One simply needs to boil and drain the pasta, add vegan butter and plant-based milk, and then top with the sauce powder. The sauce for both flavors is notably stickier than the original and coats the pasta well. The overall experience of the product is positive, with the texture and consistency being nearly identical to the non-vegan version.
However, the taste is noticeably different. The non-dairy milk adds a sweetness to the overall flavor, which some may find off-putting. The specific type of vegan butter and non-dairy milk used can also play a significant role in the final flavor, so choosing the right products is essential for a better taste experience. While the product may not be an exact replica of the original, it is still a good option for those seeking a quick, easy, and comforting vegan meal.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese contains animal products, specifically enzymes derived from calves, goats, and sheep.
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is non-vegetarian because it contains animal-derived rennet, which comes from the stomach lining of slaughtered cows, sheep, or goats. Some places also use rennet derived from slaughtered pigs.
Yes, there are several vegetarian alternatives to Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, including Annie's brand macaroni and cheese, which uses "non-animal enzymes" or "microbial enzymes." Other companies also offer vegan boxed macaroni and cheese options, available at stores like Walmart, Target, and Publix.
Yes, in 2023, the Kraft Heinz Company, in partnership with NotCo, launched a plant-based mac and cheese line. This product is a vegan alternative to Kraft's classic blue box mac and cheese and comes in two flavors: Original and White Cheddar Style.
