Frederic Melton
Pizza Hut has been the subject of some controversy over the years, with claims that its cheese is made using animal-based enzymes. The company has denied these claims, stating that its cheese is made with a 'vegetable/microbial-based' enzyme, specifically Chymax™, a microbial rennet. However, it has been noted that Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be vegetarian or vegan, as they are all prepared in a common area with meat products. The Parmesan Romano cheese blend added to some products contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Source of enzymes in pizza cheese | A microbial fermentation ingredient, not of animal origin |
| Parmesan Romano cheese blend | Contains animal-based rennet |
| Dough enzymes | No animal byproducts |
| Cheese | Made with Chymax, a microbial rennet |
| Cheese | Made with a non-animal enzyme |
| Cheese | Made with a vegetable/microbial-based enzyme |
| Pizza sauce and marinara sauce | Contain no beef or other meat products |
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What You'll Learn
Parmesan Romano cheese blend contains animal-based rennet
The Parmesan Romano cheese blend used by Pizza Hut contains animal-based rennet. This cheese blend is added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, and the Ultimate Cheese Pizza, as well as some dine-in products. It contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet.
Pizza Hut has stated that they do not use any animal byproducts in their crusts. The enzymes present in their dough, including breadstick dough, are from microbial origins and are used as a dough conditioner.
In 2019, a Pizza Hut customer service representative confirmed that the enzymes used in the production of their pizza cheese are microbial fermentation ingredients and are not of animal origin. However, Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be vegetarian or vegan as they are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven.
In 2010, The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) received confirmation from a source at the Pizza Hut corporate level that the enzyme used to make the cheese was microbial. The VRG contacted several companies along the supply chain until they reached the cheesemaker, who confirmed that the cheese was made with a microbial fermentation product called Chymax™.
While Pizza Hut has stated that its cheese is made with microbial enzymes, there have been contradictory statements from customer service representatives, with some claiming that animal rennet is used. It is worth noting that Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese at this time.
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Pizza Hut does not claim products are 'vegetarian' or 'vegan'
Although Pizza Hut has stated that its cheese is made with a microbial-based enzyme, it does not claim that its products are vegetarian or vegan. This is because all products are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven.
In 2019, Pizza Hut confirmed that its Parmesan Romano cheese blend, which is added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, Ultimate Cheese Pizza, and some dine-in products, contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet. Customers can request that the 'breadstick seasoning' or 'Parmesan parsley blend' not be added to their products. However, Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese as an option.
In 2020, Pizza Hut faced a class-action lawsuit filed by a Seattle lawyer, Harish Bahrti, who claimed that its cheese was made from a beef enzyme, causing harm to unwitting vegetarian and Hindu consumers. Pizza Hut denied this, stating that its cheese is made with a vegetable/microbial-based enzyme, not calf rennet, and that its Veggie Lover's pizza does not use beef products.
While Pizza Hut does not market any of its products as vegetarian or vegan, it has stated that its restaurant teams will use additional caution when preparing products for guests with dietary concerns.
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The company faced a lawsuit for marketing the pizza deceptively
In April 2019, Pizza Hut stated that the enzymes used in the production of its pizza cheese are from microbial fermentation and are not of animal origin. However, the company does not claim any of its products to be vegetarian or vegan as they are all prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven.
Despite these claims, Pizza Hut faced a lawsuit in 2020, alleging that its cheese is made from a beef enzyme. The suit was filed by Seattle lawyer Harish Bharti, who claimed that the company had marketed its pizza deceptively, causing harm to unwitting vegetarian and Hindu consumers. Bharti had previously won a $10 million settlement against McDonald's after it admitted to using beef flavouring in its french fries.
Pizza Hut denied the allegations, stating that its cheese is made with a vegetable/microbial-based enzyme, not calf rennet, which is derived from the lining of calves' stomachs. The company also asserted that it does not market the Veggie Lover's pizza as vegetarian.
This lawsuit is not the first time Pizza Hut has faced legal trouble over its menu offerings. In 1998, Anthony Mongiello sued the company for $1 billion, claiming that they had infringed on his patent for stuffed crust pizza. Mongiello, the CEO of Formaggio Cheese, had obtained a patent for the method of making stuffed crust pizza in 1987 and tried to license his idea to various chains, with Pizza Hut being the only company to respond. They ultimately passed on his idea, only to release their own stuffed crust pizza later on. Despite Mongiello's claims, a judge ruled against him, stating that Pizza Hut's method did not infringe on his patent.
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Pizza Hut uses microbial enzymes in dough
Pizza Hut has been questioned multiple times about the ingredients used in their cheese and dough. In 2019, Pizza Hut confirmed that the enzymes used in the production of their pizza cheese are microbial fermentation ingredients and are not of animal origin. They also confirmed that there are no animal byproducts used in any of their crusts. The enzymes present in some of their dough, including breadstick dough, are used as a dough conditioner and are from a microbial origin.
However, Pizza Hut does not claim any of their products to be vegetarian or vegan. This is because all products are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven.
In 2010, The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) received confirmation from a source at the Pizza Hut corporate level that the enzyme used to make the cheese was microbial. The VRG also found that in 2008, several major enzyme manufacturers stated that microbial rennet accounted for 80-95% of all enzymes used in cheese-making in the United States.
Despite these confirmations, there have been contradictory statements made by Pizza Hut representatives. In 2010, a representative told VRG that animal rennet was used to make the cheese, and in 2019, a customer service representative said that they did not know the answer to the question about the source of enzymes in the pizza cheese.
It is important to note that Pizza Hut offers a specially-blended mix of Parmesan cheese and spices, known as "fairy dust," which is automatically sprinkled on all pizzas. Customers can request that this blend be left off their pizzas if desired. Additionally, Pizza Hut has stated that its cheese is made with a "'vegetable/microbial-based' enzyme, specifically Chymax™, and not calf rennet, which is derived from calves' stomach linings.
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Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese
It is important to note that Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese. The company has stated that it is "looking into options", but currently, none are available. This is a significant consideration for those adhering to a vegan lifestyle or dietary preference.
The absence of vegan cheese options at Pizza Hut is particularly noteworthy because some of the chain's other ingredients and products have come under scrutiny for potentially containing animal-derived components. One of the main areas of concern has been the source of enzymes used in their cheese. While Pizza Hut has asserted that its cheese is made with a "vegetable/microbial-based" enzyme, specifically Chymax™, a lawyer named Harish Bharti has claimed that it is derived from beef, causing harm to unwitting vegetarian and Hindu consumers. This allegation led to a class-action lawsuit in 2020.
Pizza Hut has refuted the claim, stating that their cheese does not contain beef enzymes and is instead made with a microbial fermentation ingredient. However, it is important to note that the company does not claim any of its products to be 'vegetarian' or 'vegan'. This is due to the fact that all products are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven, which may lead to cross-contamination.
The Parmesan Romano cheese blend added to certain pizzas, breadsticks, and dine-in products does contain both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet. Customers can request that this blend or the 'breadstick seasoning' be left off their orders if desired. Additionally, Pizza Hut's sauces, including pizza and marinara sauce, do not contain any meat products. However, due to the shared preparation and cooking areas, these sauces are also not claimed to be vegetarian or vegan by the company.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Pizza Hut's cheese is made with a microbial fermentation ingredient, which is not of animal origin.
The enzymes used in the production of Pizza Hut's cheese are microbial and are not of animal origin.
The Parmesan Romano cheese blend added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, and Ultimate Cheese Pizza contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet.
No, Pizza Hut does not currently offer vegan cheese. However, they have stated that they are looking into options.
