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Pizza Hut is one of the world's largest pizza chains, so it's no surprise that they go through a lot of cheese. But what kind of cheese does Pizza Hut use on its pizzas?
Pizza Hut primarily uses mozzarella cheese on its pizzas, specifically part-skim mozzarella cheese, also known as pizza cheese. This type of cheese is made with part-skim milk, which has a lower fat content than whole milk. The company sources its mozzarella cheese from Leprino Foods, a Colorado-based company that is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. While Pizza Hut's cheese supplier has faced concerns over the ingredients in its cheese, the company has stated that its cheese complies with FDA regulations.
In addition to mozzarella, some of Pizza Hut's specialty pizzas also contain Parmesan romano cheese.
What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's cheese is primarily part-skim mozzarella
The part-skim mozzarella used by Pizza Hut is also known as pizza cheese. It is produced by Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. This cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
Part-skim mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. A quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. It is also a good source of protein and calcium.
While Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be 'vegetarian' or 'vegan', the company has stated that its pizza cheese is made using microbial fermentation ingredients and is not of animal origin. However, all products are prepared in a common area with meat products and cooked in the same oven.
In summary, Pizza Hut's cheese is primarily part-skim mozzarella, produced by Leprino Foods, and used on the majority of their pizzas. The company has also provided information on the ingredients used in their pizza cheese and addressed concerns related to vegetarian and vegan diets.
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It's supplied by Leprino Foods
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on the majority of its pizzas. This is also known as pizza cheese. Some of its speciality pizzas also contain Parmesan romano cheese.
Most Pizza Hut chains use the brand Leprino Foods for their mozzarella cheese. Leprino Foods is based in Colorado and is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world, according to the company's website.
Leprino Foods does not list the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese, but Pizza Hut reports that the cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk and sodium propionate.
In 2006, a report by the magazine The Milkwood suggested that Leprino Foods' mozzarella cheese uses polydimethylsiloxane, a silicone industrial chemical. This ingredient is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food. However, Leprino Foods states that no such chemical is used in the processing of its mozzarella cheese and that it fully complies with FDA regulations.
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It's similar to regular mozzarella
Pizza Hut uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on most of its pizzas. This is similar to regular mozzarella, which is also available in part-skim, as well as fat-free or whole milk varieties.
Part-skim mozzarella has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella. A quarter-cup serving of shredded part-skim mozzarella has 90 calories and 6 grams of total fat. It also has no carbohydrates and is a good source of protein, with nearly 8 grams per serving. Part-skim mozzarella usually does not have any cholesterol but does have approximately 210 milligrams of sodium. It also contains vitamin A and is an excellent source of calcium.
Mozzarella cheese is also available fresh in a block that you can grate or shred yourself, or you can buy it pre-shredded. Many chefs and high-end pizzerias use whole milk mozzarella cheese because it melts better and has a richer flavour. However, it can be difficult to find in regular grocery stores.
Pizza Hut's cheese is supplied by Leprino Foods, which is based in Colorado and claims to be the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods does not list the ingredients of its lite mozzarella cheese, but Pizza Hut reports that the cheese consists of pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, modified food starch, whey protein concentrate, nonfat milk, and sodium propionate.
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Parmesan Romano cheese is added to some speciality pizzas
Pizza Hut uses a variety of cheeses across its menu, with some speciality pizzas containing Parmesan Romano cheese. This type of cheese is added to P'Zones, Breadsticks, and the Ultimate Cheese Pizza, as well as some dine-in products. The Parmesan Romano cheese blend contains both microbial enzymes and animal-based rennet, which is not suitable for vegetarians.
Pizza Hut's primary cheese is part-skim mozzarella, which is used on the majority of its pizzas. This type of cheese is also known as pizza cheese and is produced by the company Leprino Foods, the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods supplies most Pizza Hut chains with mozzarella cheese.
While Pizza Hut does not offer vegan cheese, it is looking into options. The company states that it does not claim any of its products to be 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' due to the common preparation and cooking areas with meat products. However, the restaurant team will use additional caution when preparing products for guests with dietary concerns if requested.
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The cheese is suitable for vegetarians but not vegans
Pizza Hut uses a variety of cheeses on its pizzas, including mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano. The type of mozzarella cheese Pizza Hut uses is part-skim mozzarella, also known as pizza cheese. This type of mozzarella has less fat and calories than whole-milk mozzarella and is a good source of protein and calcium.
While Pizza Hut's cheese is suitable for vegetarians, it is not suitable for vegans. This is because the cheese contains animal-based rennet, a common ingredient in cheese made from animal stomach enzymes. In addition, Pizza Hut does not claim any of its products to be 'vegetarian' or 'vegan' due to the risk of cross-contamination with meat products during preparation and cooking.
For vegetarians, it is important to note that while the cheese itself may be suitable, other ingredients and cooking methods used by Pizza Hut may not align with a strict vegetarian diet. Pizza Hut has stated that they use a microbial fermentation ingredient in their pizza cheese, which is not of animal origin. However, they also state that all products are prepared and cooked in the same area as meat products, so there may be a risk of cross-contamination.
For vegans, it is clear that Pizza Hut's cheese is not a suitable option due to the presence of animal-based rennet. Vegan customers seeking dairy-free options at Pizza Hut may be disappointed, as the chain does not currently offer vegan cheese. However, Pizza Hut has stated that they are looking into options, indicating a potential shift towards more plant-based offerings in the future.
In summary, while Pizza Hut's cheese may be suitable for vegetarians, it is not suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle. The presence of animal-based rennet and the potential for cross-contamination with meat products during preparation and cooking make it unsuitable for strict vegan diets. For vegetarians and vegans, it is always important to do further research and ask questions to ensure that the food they are consuming aligns with their dietary choices and ethical beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
Pizza Hut uses primarily mozzarella cheese on its pizzas. The chain states that it uses part-skim mozzarella cheese on the majority of its pizzas.
Pizza Hut uses the brand Leprino Foods for their mozzarella cheese.
There is little difference between Pizza Hut's mozzarella and regular mozzarella. However, Pizza Hut's cheese is part-skim mozzarella, also known as pizza cheese, which has less fat and fewer calories than whole-milk mozzarella.
Some of Pizza Hut's specialty pizzas contain Parmesan romano cheese.