Frederic Melton
Sargento is a brand that makes a lot of staple foods, so it's not unusual to wonder if their cheese is vegetarian. Rennet, or enzymes, are added to cheese to make the mixture thicker and form curds. While rennet is usually derived from animal sources, it can also be made from vegetables or microbes. Sargento cheese is made using microbial rennet, a vegetarian-friendly alternative derived from microbes such as fungus or bacteria. However, some Sargento cheeses do contain animal enzymes, and the company does not have any vegetarian certifications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian-friendly | Yes, most Sargento cheeses are vegetarian-friendly, but some contain animal rennet and are not suitable for vegetarians. |
| Animal Rennet | Some Sargento cheeses contain animal rennet, including Italian blends like Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Provolone, and Fontina, as well as MooTown Snacks cheese dips. |
| Non-Animal Rennet | Yes, Sargento uses non-animal rennet in many of their cheeses, including Cheddar, Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Swiss, and Mexican blends. |
| Lactose-Free | Yes, all Sargento cheeses are lactose-free, with 95-98% of lactose removed during the cheese-making process. |
| Gluten | Sargento cheeses are generally gluten-free, but some products like Sweet Balanced Breaks and Balanced Breaks Cheese and Crackers contain gluten-containing ingredients like wheat and barley. |
| Kosher | No, Sargento cheeses are not kosher as they are not certified or supervised by a rabbi during production. |
| Pork | No, Sargento cheeses do not contain pork enzymes or ingredients. |
| Natural Ingredients | Yes, Sargento cheeses contain natural ingredients like milk, cheese culture, enzymes, and occasionally salt or natural food coloring. |
| High-Quality | Yes, Sargento cheeses are professionally tested and known for their high quality. |
| Protein Content | Yes, Sargento cheese is a good source of protein, providing 5 grams of protein per serving. |
| Calcium Content | Yes, Sargento cheese sticks contain 10% of the daily recommended calcium intake. |
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What You'll Learn
Sargento's non-vegetarian cheeses
Sargento is a brand that offers a wide variety of cheeses, some of which are suitable for vegetarians and some of which are not. The company does not have an official stance on vegetarianism and does not specifically market its products as vegetarian. However, they do use microbial rennet, a vegetarian-friendly alternative derived from microbes such as fungi or bacteria, in some of their products.
Some Sargento cheeses do contain animal enzymes or rennet, which is derived from the stomach lining of calves, making them unsuitable for vegetarians. These include traditional Italian cheese blends such as Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Provolone, and Fontina. Additionally, their MooTown Snacks cheese dips, including Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks, Cheese Dip & Pretzel Sticks, and Cheese Dip & Crackers, are made with beef rennet. Other non-vegetarian varieties include Artisan Blends Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese, Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese, Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian Cheese, and Deli Style Sliced Jarlsberg Cheese.
While Sargento does offer some cheeses that are made with microbial rennet, it is important to note that their production facilities also process animal-derived products, which may increase the risk of cross-contamination. Therefore, vegetarians should carefully check the ingredients list and be aware of potential cross-contamination concerns.
It is worth mentioning that Sargento cheeses are not certified as vegetarian by organizations like the Vegetarian Society or Vegan Action. Vegetarians seeking certified options may consider exploring alternative brands with such certifications for greater assurance.
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Sargento's vegetarian cheeses
Sargento is a brand that offers a variety of cheeses, some of which are suitable for vegetarians. The company uses microbial rennet, derived from microbes such as fungi or bacteria, in some of its products, making them vegetarian-friendly. However, it is important to note that Sargento does not specifically market any of its products as vegetarian and does not have any certifications indicating their suitability for vegetarians.
- Cheddar: Sargento's cheddar cheese is made from non-animal rennet and is suitable for vegetarians.
- Mozzarella: Sargento's mozzarella cheese is also made using non-animal enzymes and is produced without animal slaughter or abuse.
- Swiss: This cheese is made in a vegetarian-friendly manner without the use of animal enzymes to form the curds.
- Pepper Jack: This variety of Jack cheese is made with a process that uses non-animal rennet and is suitable for vegetarians.
- Four-Cheese Mexican: This blend includes Asadero, Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, and Queso Quesadilla, all of which are vegetarian-friendly and made without animal enzymes.
On the other hand, the following Sargento cheeses should be avoided by vegetarians as they are made with animal rennet:
- Parmesan: Sargento's Parmesan cheese contains animal enzymes and is not considered vegetarian-friendly.
- Italian Cheese Blends: These blends, including Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Provolone, and Fontina, are made with animal rennet and are not suitable for vegetarians.
- MooTown Snacks Cheese Dips: These cheese dips, including Cheese Dip & Cracker Sticks, Cheese Dip & Pretzel Sticks, and Cheese Dip & Crackers, are made with beef rennet and are not vegetarian-friendly.
- Artisan Blends: Certain blends, such as Shredded Parmesan & Romano Cheese, Shredded 6 Cheese Italian Cheese, and Shredded Reduced Fat 4 Cheese Italian Cheese, contain animal enzymes and are not suitable for vegetarians.
While Sargento offers a range of vegetarian-friendly cheeses, it is always recommended for vegetarians to check the ingredients list on each product and be aware of potential cross-contamination in their cheese production facilities.
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Rennet and its sources
Rennet, also known as enzymes, is added to cheese during its production to make the mixture thicker and form curds. Rennet is mainly derived from animal and plant sources. Animal rennet is obtained from the inner mucosa of the fourth stomach chamber (abomasum) of young, nursing calves, goats, and lambs. This source of rennet is used for aged cheeses due to its longer shelf life. However, it is important to note that calf rennet is a byproduct of veal production, and while calves may not be slaughtered specifically for their rennet, it is still a byproduct of their death.
Plant rennet, on the other hand, is derived from plants such as cardoon thistle, artichokes, nettles, fig, seeds of the safflower, and thistle. It is often used to make vegetarian cheeses and has been traditionally favoured by cheesemakers in Spain and Portugal. However, plant rennet can add bitterness to the cheese if aged for too long, which is why most vegetarian cheeses have a shorter shelf life of about six months.
In recent times, microbial rennet has become a popular alternative to animal and plant rennet. Fermentation-produced chymosin, or microbial rennet, is commonly used in industrial cheesemaking in North America and Europe due to its cost-effectiveness and reliability. Additionally, microbial rennet is used in the production of kosher and halal cheeses, with almost all kosher cheeses being produced with this type of rennet.
Synthetic rennet is another alternative that is produced through the fermentation of bacterial sources. This method involves manipulating or synthesizing the genes of a young ruminant to create chymosin or rennin. This type of rennet is also commonly used in contemporary cheesemaking due to its cost-effectiveness and reliability.
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Sargento's animal-derived products
Sargento cheese products are generally considered vegetarian-friendly, with most of their cheese being made using non-animal rennet. However, some Sargento cheeses do contain animal-derived rennet, making them unsuitable for vegetarians.
The Sargento products that are not vegetarian-friendly due to the use of animal rennet include the Italian cheese blends, such as Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Provolone, and Fontina. These traditional Italian cheeses are made with animal enzymes, which may not have been sourced humanely. Other Sargento products that may contain animal enzymes include the MooTown Snacks cheese dips, which are made with beef rennet, and certain cheeses like Romano, Asiago, and Jarlsberg.
Sargento's commitment to animal welfare is demonstrated in their statement regarding the ethical treatment of cattle raised for milk production. They do not tolerate any form of animal mistreatment. Additionally, Sargento cheese is produced using microbial rennet, a vegetarian-friendly alternative derived from microbes such as fungi or bacteria. This allows vegetarians to enjoy a variety of Sargento cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss, pepper jack, and Mexican blends.
While Sargento does not have any certifications indicating their products are suitable for vegetarians, they offer a diverse range of cheeses, catering to various dietary preferences. It is always recommended for vegetarians to carefully read the ingredients list on each product to ensure it aligns with their dietary needs and to be aware of the potential for cross-contamination in Sargento's cheese production facilities.
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Sargento's cheese production
Sargento cheese is made using a combination of milk, salt, enzymes, and cultures. The milk used in Sargento cheese production is sourced from cows and is pasteurized to ensure it is safe to consume. Some Sargento cheeses also contain additional ingredients such as annatto, a natural food colouring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, or cellulose powder, a plant-derived anti-caking agent.
One of the most important ingredients in Sargento cheese production is rennet, an enzyme that causes the coagulation of milk, forming curds and whey. Rennet can be derived from various animal sources, including the stomach lining of calves, as well as cows, goats, and sheep. However, Sargento cheese is made with microbial rennet, which is a vegetarian-friendly alternative derived from microbes such as fungi or bacteria. This microbial rennet is used in most Sargento cheeses, making them suitable for vegetarians.
Sargento's commitment to animal welfare is demonstrated in their cheese production. They ensure that cattle raised for milk production are treated ethically and do not tolerate any form of animal mistreatment. The company also supplies lactose-free cheese, with 95 to 98% of lactose removed from the milk during the cheese-making process.
While Sargento cheese is not specifically marketed as vegetarian, it is a significant selling point for the brand. The company offers a wide variety of cheeses, with most being vegetarian-friendly. These include cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, pepper jack, and Mexican blends. However, some Sargento cheeses do contain animal enzymes, such as those with Romano, Asiago, Jarlsberg, or Parmesan cheese, and should be avoided by vegetarians.
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Frequently asked questions
Sargento cheese is not certified as suitable for vegetarians. However, the company does use microbial rennet in some of its products, which makes them suitable for vegetarians. The Sargento products that vegetarians should avoid are the Italian cheese blends made using animal rennet, including Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, Provolone, and Fontina.
Rennet is an enzyme that’s found in the stomach lining of calves. It helps young animals break down and absorb their mother’s milk. Rennet is added to cheese to make the mixture thicker and form the curds.
Sargento offers a wide variety of cheeses, some of which are suitable for vegetarians and some of which are not. The company's vegetarian-friendly options include cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, pepper jack, and Mexican four-cheese blends.
