Bushra Griffith
As one of the most popular pizza chains in the world, Papa John's attracts millions of customers, including Muslim consumers who are interested in knowing whether its food is halal. With halal dietary guidelines being essential for many, it is important to clarify whether one can enjoy Papa John's pizza without concern. In Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Papa John's offers a 100% halal menu, meaning that all meat products served in these locations are sourced from halal-certified suppliers. However, in other regions such as the UK and North America, the situation is more complicated, with some halal options previously available but no longer guaranteed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, Blue Cheese, Cheese sauce, Parmesan sauce, Ranch, Provolone, Fontina, Asiago, Cheddar |
| Cheese ingredients | Pasteurized milk, skim milk, cultures, salt, enzymes, microbial rennet, animal rennet, powdered cellulose, natamycin |
| Halal status | Not halal certified in North America. 100% halal menu in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. |
| Cross-contamination | Possible cross-contamination with non-halal meat and other non-halal ingredients |
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What You'll Learn
Papa John's cheese in Muslim-majority countries
Papa John's is an American pizza restaurant franchise founded in 1984 in Jeffersonville, Indiana, by "Papa" John Schnatter. It has over 5,000 locations worldwide, with the majority in the United States. The restaurant specializes in pizza but also offers pasta, chicken wings, and breadsticks.
The halal status of Papa John's cheese pizza varies depending on the location. While Papa John's does not have a broad halal certification for its cheese pizza globally, some local franchises in Muslim-majority countries offer halal options.
In Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, Papa John's offers a fully halal menu. This means that all meat products served in these locations are sourced from halal-certified suppliers. The standard Papa John's pizza dough, which contains no alcohol or animal products, is vegan-friendly and therefore halal.
However, in North America, Papa John's does not offer any halal-certified menu items. Similarly, in the UK, while some items like chicken toppings and chicken poppers were previously considered halal, the restaurant has since stated that they can no longer guarantee the halal status of any of their products.
For those strictly following halal guidelines, it is recommended to check with local franchises about their specific offerings and to verify that the cheese and other toppings adhere to halal standards.
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Cross-contamination in Papa John's restaurants
Cross-contamination is a serious issue for those with dietary restrictions or allergies, and it is important to be aware of the risks when eating at restaurants. Papa John's has had some issues with cross-contamination in the past, and while they have taken steps to address this, it is still a concern for some customers.
In 2016, Papa John's Salads and Produce recalled approximately 373 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with chicken products due to possible Listeria contamination. The recall was issued by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after it was discovered that the sunflower kernel products used in the salads were involved in a recall due to Listeria monocytogenes. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria can cause serious health issues, especially for older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.
In 2024, Papa John's issued an urgent alert to customers over potentially contaminated food. The alert stated that certain batches of their Garlic and Herb Dip and Vegan Ranch Dressing may contain traces of peanuts. The Vegan Ranch Dressing is also used on some products. The company apologized for any inconvenience and thanked customers for their understanding. This issue was likely due to contaminated mustard powder imported from India, as the Food Standards Agency had issued alerts about this issue around the same time.
In addition to these incidents, there have been concerns about cross-contamination in Papa John's restaurants due to the use of the same pizza slicer for all pizzas, including those with Haram meat. A former manager of Papa John's suggested that customers ask employees to wash the pizza slicer before their eyes to avoid cross-contamination. Or, customers can ask for their pizza to not be sliced and slice it themselves. However, the same employees often make pizzas with and without haram meat without washing their hands in between, so there is still a risk of cross-contamination.
Papa John's has also stated that all of their products may come into contact with wheat or dairy in their restaurants. This is important information for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. The company also assumes no responsibility for customers with food allergies, as they cannot guarantee that their products are completely free from common allergens due to the possibility of cross-contamination within the kitchen. Therefore, customers with dietary restrictions or allergies should be cautious when ordering from Papa John's, as cross-contamination remains a concern.
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Papa John's vegetarian options
Papa John's has been incorporating more vegan and vegetarian options since introducing vegan Sheese to its menu in 2019. The chain now caters to those on plant-based and dairy-free diets. For example, in 2021, Papa John's added a vegan cheese-stuffed crust option in its UK locations for all pizza bases. However, it's important to note that the availability of vegan options varies based on location.
Papa John's original dough is all-vegetable and contains no animal derivatives. It is made with unbleached enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, soybean oil, salt, and yeast. The thin crust dough contains a dairy ingredient, but the company has confirmed that there is no cheese dusted on the crust or baked into it. The pizza sauce is also all-vegetable and made with vine-ripened fresh tomatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, salt, spices, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and citric acid.
Some of the vegan pizzas available at Papa John's include:
- A classic, simple pizza with tomato sauce and vegan Sheese, with the option to add extra toppings like mushrooms and sweetcorn.
- A Garden Party pizza with tomato sauce, vegan cheese, sliced onions, green peppers, chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn, and chestnut mushrooms.
- An award-winning pizza with tomato sauce, vegan cheese, plant-based sausage, jackfruit 'pepperoni', chestnut mushrooms, green peppers, onions, and black olives.
- A Philly Mushroom papadia with melted vegan cheese, mushrooms, onion, green peppers, and ranch sauce.
Papa John's also offers a range of vegan sides and desserts, including:
- Oven-baked potato tots, which can be ordered plain or topped with vegan cheese and/or jalapenos.
- Cauliflower chunks coated in a crispy topping and served with hot buffalo sauce.
- Various dips: Tomato & Herb Dip, BBQ Dip, Special Garlic Sauce, Garlic & Herb Dip, and Hot Buffalo Dip.
- Caramel ice cream with swirls of cookie, cookie dough, and chocolate chunks.
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Papa John's ingredients list
Papa John's lists its pizza ingredients on its website, including the ingredients for the dough, crust, sauce, and toppings. The ingredients for the dough include unbleached enriched wheat flour, water, sugar, soybean oil, salt, yeast, and fungal or bacterial derivatives. The original hand-tossed dough is vegan, while the thin crust dough contains milk ingredients (whey), and the gluten-free dough contains milk and egg ingredients (whey and egg whites).
The ingredients for the sauce include fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, water, cream, garlic, onion, salt, spices, and natural flavors. The ingredients for the cheese toppings include part-skim mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, provolone cheese, fontina cheese, and Asiago cheese. The mozzarella cheese is made with microbial enzymes and does not contain animal-derived enzymes. However, the Parmesan, Romano, and 3-cheese blends do contain animal-derived enzymes or animal rennet.
Other ingredients used as toppings include beef, chicken, turkey ham, pepperoni, beef sausage, green peppers, and mushrooms. The nutritional and allergen information for these ingredients can be found on Papa John's website, along with information on calories and nutrient values.
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Papa John's dough types
Papa John's offers a variety of dough types to cater to different preferences and dietary needs. Here is an overview of the different dough types available at Papa John's:
Original Hand-Tossed Dough:
The original hand-tossed dough is one of the most popular options at Papa John's. It is made with simple, fresh ingredients and is never frozen. This dough is prepared with high-protein flour and clear filtered water, resulting in a soft and elastic texture that is easy to stretch and shape. The original hand-tossed dough is a classic choice for those who prefer a traditional pizza experience.
Thin Crust Dough:
For those who enjoy a crispier and lighter bite, Papa John's offers a thin crust dough option. This dough is rolled out thinner than the original hand-tossed dough, resulting in a crisp and crunchy texture. It is a good choice for those who want a more balanced ratio of crust to toppings. The thin crust dough is often paired with a variety of toppings to create a flavorful and satisfying pizza experience.
Gluten-Free Dough:
Recognizing the need to accommodate customers with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, Papa John's introduced a gluten-free dough option. This dough is made with alternative flours, such as sorghum flour, rice flour, and tapioca starch, ensuring that those with gluten sensitivities can still enjoy their favorite pizzas. The gluten-free dough has a unique texture and flavor, providing an inclusive option for all pizza lovers.
Multigrain Dough:
For health-conscious customers, Papa John's offers a multigrain dough variety. This dough is made with a blend of flours, including quinoa flour, amaranth flour, and teff flour, providing a nutritious and fiber-rich option. The multigrain dough has a slightly nutty flavor and a chewy texture, appealing to those who prefer a more wholesome and hearty pizza experience.
Cheesy Crust Dough:
Taking indulgence to the next level, Papa John's offers a cheesy crust dough option. This dough features a generous amount of mozzarella or other types of cheese blended into the crust, creating a delicious and decadent experience. The cheesy crust dough is perfect for cheese lovers, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to every bite.
Each dough type at Papa John's is carefully crafted to ensure the best possible taste and texture. Customers can choose the dough that suits their preferences, dietary needs, or simply experiment with different options to find their favorite. With a focus on quality and variety, Papa John's dough types enhance the overall pizza experience for their customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Papa John's offers a 100% halal menu in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, meaning all meat products are sourced from halal-certified suppliers. In the UK, the situation is more complicated. While some items were previously halal, Papa John's UK has since stated that it can no longer guarantee any of its products to be halal. In North America, Papa John's does not offer any halal-certified menu items. However, there are vegetarian options available that are suitable for halal consumers.
Papa John's offers several vegetarian options that are suitable for halal consumers, including the Garden Fresh Pizza, Garden Veggie Papa Bowl, Jalapeno Popper Rolls, and Garlic Knots.
Yes, there is a potential for cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients at Papa John's. This is due to the use of the same pizza slicer for all pizzas and the handling of non-halal ingredients by employees without proper handwashing.
Yes, Papa John's offers several dessert options that are safe for halal consumers, including Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cinnamon Pull Aparts, as they do not contain any meat. However, it is still important to be cautious of potential cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients.
