Unwrapping the Mystery: Do Kraft Cheeses Contain Pork Enzymes?

Kraft cheese products like cheddar American and cream cheese are staples in many refrigerators. But for those avoiding pork for religious, ethical, or health reasons, an important question arises do Kraft cheeses contain pork-derived enzymes?

In this comprehensive article we’ll explore how cheese is made the types of enzymes used, Kraft’s specific cheese ingredients, and why animal enzymes cause concern. After examining the facts, we’ll provide a clear answer on whether pork enzymes lurk in Kraft cheeses.

A Primer on Cheese Production

To understand cheese enzymes, it helps to first know how cheese is made. There are four main steps:

1. Curdling the Milk: Milk is curdled to separate solid curds from liquid whey. This curdling is usually achieved by adding rennet enzymes.

2. Cutting Curds: The curdled milk is cut into cubes to release more whey.

3. Cooking and Pressing: Curds are cooked and pressed to further remove moisture and compact the curds.

4. Aging: Pressing continues to remove whey. Bacteria and mold are added to age and develop flavor.

Three Ways to Curdle Milk for Cheese

The first step of cheesemaking involves curdling or coagulating the milk. There are three primary ways to curdle:

• Acid coagulation – Adding an acidic ingredient like vinegar or lemon juice. Used for paneer and ricotta.

• Enzyme coagulation – Adding rennet enzymes to curdle milk. Used for most hard and semi-hard cheeses.

• Heat coagulation – Heating milk to high temperatures to denature proteins. Used for queso fresco.

Enzyme coagulation with rennet is the most common method used for cheesemaking worldwide.

What is Rennet and Where Does it Come From?

Rennet contains enzymes called proteases that cause milk proteins to coagulate into solid curds. There are four sources that rennet can come from:

• Animal rennet – Enzymes extracted from the stomach lining of young calves, lambs, or goat kids. Most traditional rennet comes from animal sources.

• Vegetable rennet – Enzymes taken from certain plants like fig leaves, nettles, or thistles. Provides a vegetarian alternative.

• Microbial rennet – Enzymes produced via microbial fermentation of fungi, yeast, or bacteria. Also vegetarian.

• Genetically engineered rennet – Enzymes created in a lab using recombinant DNA technology. Vegetarian and kosher.

For cheese to be completely vegetarian or halal, animal rennet cannot be used.

Kraft’s Use of Animal Enzymes in Cheeses

When asked directly about their cheeses, Kraft revealed:

• Some Kraft cheeses contain animal-derived enzymes from calves, lambs, or goat kids.

• These animal rennets help develop the flavor and texture.

• The animal rennet is not pork-derived and Kraft does not use pork enzymes.

Kraft did not indicate if the animal rennet is from halal slaughtered animals.

Kraft Cheeses Containing Animal-Derived Enzymes

According to Kraft, the following cheeses contain animal-derived rennet enzymes:

• Cheddar (Sharp, Extra Sharp)
• American Singles
• Velveeta
• Deli Deluxe

These would not be halal, vegetarian, or kosher.

Kraft Cheeses that are Vegetarian and Pork-Free

Kraft stated that these cheeses use microbial enzymes and contain no animal-derived ingredients:

• Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• Grated Parmesan
• Grated Romano
• Natural Swiss

These would be suitable for vegetarians, kosher consumers, and those avoiding pork. However, Kraft did not specify if they are halal certified.

Why Myths About Pork in Cheese Persist

Despite transparency from Kraft, myths continue alleging that pork enzymes lurk in their cheeses. Potential reasons for the misinformation include:

• Confusing cheese enzymes with pig-derived gelatin in some yogurts, ice creams, and candies.

• Assuming all animal rennet comes from pigs, rather than calves, lambs, or goats.

• Believing the red/orange color comes from insect dyes rather than artificial colors.

• General distrust or lack of education on how large corporations source ingredients.

But Kraft’s statements make it clear no pork enzymes are used in their cheese products.

The Bottom Line on Kraft Cheese

After reviewing the production process, enzyme sources, and Kraft’s own admissions, we can conclusively state that Kraft cheeses do not contain pork enzymes.

However, some Kraft varieties do contain calf, lamb, or goat-derived enzymes. Consumers who strictly avoid all animal enzymes or products need to choose Kraft cheeses made with microbial enzymes.

While certain cheeses are off the table for some dietary needs, Kraft’s transparency allows consumers to select cheeses aligned with their religious, ethical, or health-based restrictions.

So enjoy your creamy Kraft grilled cheese, secure in the knowledge that porky enzymes aren’t secretly lurking within!