Randy Chandler
Sargento is a company that has been selling cheese for many years and is known for its natural, vegetarian-friendly cheese. Rennets (enzymes) are added to milk when making cheese to thicken it and form curds. These enzymes can be of animal or non-animal origin. Most Sargento natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennets, but some traditional Italian varieties may contain animal enzymes, such as Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina. So, is Sargento Cheddar Cheese Halal?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Halal | No |
| Kosher | No |
| Contains animal rennet | No, except for some traditional Italian cheeses |
| Contains beef rennet | Yes, in non-refrigerated snacks |
| Contains pork enzymes | No |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento cheese is not kosher
While Sargento cheese may be halal, it is not kosher. This is because the production of Sargento cheese is not supervised and certified by a rabbi.
Sargento cheese is made with animal and non-animal rennet (enzymes). Rennets are added to milk to thicken it and form curds. Most Sargento natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennet, and none of the Sargento products contain pork enzymes. However, some Sargento cheeses may contain animal enzymes, including those generally considered traditional Italian cheese styles such as Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina. These animal enzymes are also found in Blue and Feta cheese types.
The Sargento natural cheeses that contain animal enzymes include the following:
- Italian blends
- Sliced Provolone
- Grated Parmesan and Romano
- Any product with these cheese types listed
- Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese
- Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese
- Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian Cheese
- Deli Style Sliced Jarlsberg Cheese
- MooTown Snacks (non-refrigerated)
- Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks
- Cheese Dip & Pretzel Sticks
- Cheese Dip & Crackers
While Sargento cheese may not be kosher, it is important to note that the company does prioritize food safety and quality. Sargento recalled select products in February 2017 and removed them from shelves. The FDA affirmed that the recall is closed, and there is no ongoing recall on Sargento-branded products.
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Most Sargento cheeses are made with non-animal rennet
Sargento is a company that has been selling cheese for several years. One of their most significant selling points is that they make natural cheese that is vegetarian-friendly. Most Sargento cheeses are made with non-animal rennet, which means they are suitable for vegetarians and Muslims. However, some of their traditional Italian cheeses, like Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina, are made with animal rennet.
The manufacturing process of most varieties of cheese (all cured or ripened cheeses) involves enzyme coagulation. Rennets (enzymes) are added to thicken the milk to form curds. These milk-clotting enzymes originate from non-animal and animal sources. Non-animal rennet is often microbial (synthetic) or artificial. Animal rennet is typically used in traditional Italian cheese styles.
Sargento's shredded and sliced cheeses, as well as their refrigerated natural cheese snacks, are made with non-animal rennet. This includes their four-cheese Mexican blend, which combines asadero, Monterey jack, moderate cheddar, and queso quesadilla. Their pepper jack cheese is also made without animal rennet, making it suitable for vegetarians.
The Sargento natural cheeses that may contain animal enzymes include those with traditional Italian cheese types such as Romano, Asiago, Jarlsberg, Parmesan, and Provolone. These cheeses are found in Italian blends, sliced Provolone, grated Parmesan and Romano, and any product with these cheese types listed. Additionally, Sargento's non-refrigerated snacks, such as Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks, Cheese Dip & Pretzel Sticks, and Cheese Dip & Crackers, are made with beef rennet.
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Sargento's four-cheese Mexican is vegetarian
Sargento's Four Cheese Mexican is a blend of four types of natural cheeses: Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero. The product is shredded fresh from blocks of real, natural cheese and is known for its smooth, creamy flavour. It is perfect for adding rich, authentic flavours to your favourite Tex-Mex meals, such as quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and nachos.
The product is available in an 8-oz package, which contains 2 cups of shredded cheese. The packaging features an easy-close FreshLock® design, which helps keep the cheese fresh for longer. However, it is recommended to use the cheese within five days of opening for maximum freshness.
Now, let's address the question of whether Sargento's Four Cheese Mexican is vegetarian. The answer depends on the definition of vegetarianism being applied. The product does contain rennet, which is an enzyme used to thicken milk and form curds during the cheese-making process. Most of the rennet used in Sargento's natural cheeses, including the Four Cheese Mexican, is sourced from non-animal sources. However, some of their traditional Italian cheese styles, such as Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina, may contain animal enzymes.
Therefore, while the Four Cheese Mexican blend does not contain any meat or meat by-products, the presence of animal-derived rennet in some Sargento cheeses may be a concern for strict vegetarians or those following a vegan diet. It is always advisable to check the ingredient list and the company's website for the most up-to-date and detailed information.
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Sargento's cheese does not contain pork enzymes
Sargento® cheeses are natural cheeses made with traditional cheese-making methods. Rennets (enzymes) are added when making cheese to thicken the milk to form the curds. These milk-clotting enzymes originate from non-animal and animal sources. Most Sargento natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennet, and none contain pork enzymes.
Sargento states that their shredded and sliced cheeses and all of their refrigerated natural cheese snacks are made with non-animal rennet. The only Sargento natural cheeses that may contain animal enzymes are those that contain specific types of cheese, such as Romano, Asiago, or Jarlsberg. These include:
- Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese
- Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese
- Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian Cheese
- Deli Style Sliced Jarlsberg Cheese
The cheese dip in their non-refrigerated MooTown Snacks products is made with beef rennet. Sargento's products are not kosher because their production is not supervised and certified by a rabbi.
While Sargento does not provide information on whether its cheese is halal, the fact that its cheese does not contain pork enzymes may be considered a step towards making it suitable for a halal diet. However, it is important to note that the presence of animal enzymes in some of their cheeses may still be a concern for those following a halal diet, as the sources of these animal enzymes are not specified. Therefore, it is advisable for those adhering to a halal diet to seek further information or alternative cheese options that are certified halal.
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Sargento cheese does not contain antibiotics
However, it is important to note that Sargento has faced lawsuits alleging that their cheese products do contain antibiotics. In December 2020 and January 2021, two lawsuits were filed against Sargento Foods by plaintiffs represented by Richman Law & Policy. The plaintiffs argue that the "No Antibiotics" claim on Sargento's packaging leads consumers to believe that the products are made without the use of antibiotics and therefore never contain antibiotics. They cite a 2018 Consumer Reports survey, which found that 67% of consumers interpret the "no antibiotics" claim to mean that no antibiotics were given to the animals at any time.
Sargento has responded to these lawsuits by stating that the claims are based on a misrepresentation that does not exist. They argue that the meaning of their "No Antibiotics" claim is clear and explicit. Sargento also highlights that milk from cows being treated with antibiotics is required to be separated and disposed of, and every tanker of milk is tested for antibiotics to ensure they do not enter the milk supply. If any antibiotic residues are detected, the milk is not used.
While Sargento has confidence in its testing procedures, independent lab testing conducted in July 2020 found that Sargento mild sliced cheddar had detectable levels of the antibiotic sulfamethazine. The amount detected was very small, but the presence of antibiotics in Sargento's cheese has sparked concerns among consumers and legal disputes.
It is worth noting that Sargento's FAQ page provides detailed information about the cheese-making process, including the use of rennet (enzymes) to thicken milk and the removal of lactose during cheese production. The FAQ page also mentions that Sargento shredded, sliced, block, and Ricotta cheeses, as well as their refrigerated natural cheese snacks, are nut-free and produced in facilities that do not contain nuts.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sargento is not kosher. However, most Sargento natural cheeses are made without animal rennet. The Sargento natural cheeses that may contain animal enzymes are those generally considered traditional Italian cheese styles such as Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina cheese.
Sargento Cheddar Cheese is made from a Cheddar Cheese base. It has no added artificial hormones, synthetic flavors, or antibiotics.
Sargento Foods identifies all products with a freshness date. This date assures freshness only in an unopened package. Once the package is opened, it is recommended to use the cheese within 5 days to get maximum freshness.
