Cheez-Its are a popular snack cracker made by the Kellogg Company. They have a distinctive square shape and cheesy flavor that makes them a favorite for both kids and adults. However, some people wonder if Cheez-Its contain pork enzymes or other animal-derived ingredients that would make them non-kosher or unsuitable for certain diets and religions. This article will examine the ingredients in Cheez-Its and look at how they are manufactured to determine if there is any pork or other animal enzymes used.
Cheez-It Ingredients
According to the Cheez-It website, the classic Cheez-It original flavor contains the following ingredients:
- Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid)
- Vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil)
- Cheese made with skim milk (skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes)
- Salt
- Leavening (baking soda, monocalcium phosphate)
- Yeast
The key ingredients in question regarding pork enzymes are the cheese ingredient and the enzymes listed in parentheses.
Cheese Ingredient
The cheese used in Cheez-Its is made from skim milk and contains cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. According to Kellogg’s, the cheese used in Cheez-Its is typically a cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese is not traditionally made with any pork enzymes. The enzymes used to make cheddar cheese are rennet and lipase.
Enzymes
Rennet is an enzyme that is used to coagulate the milk in cheese production. There are three main types of rennet:
- – Animal rennet – extracted from the stomach lining of young calves, lambs, or goats
- – Vegetable rennet – extracted from plants like fig trees or thistle
- – Microbial rennet – derived from fungus or bacterial cultures
Animal rennet contains the enzyme chymosin which curdles the milk. Vegetable and microbial rennet contain similar enzymes that can also coagulate the milk.
According to Kellogg’s, the rennet they use is specifically microbial rennet, not animal rennet. They state on their website: “Kellogg Company uses microbial enzymes, not animal, for cheese used in our products”. Microbial rennet does not contain pork enzymes or any animal enzymes.
The other enzyme used in cheesemaking is lipase. This is used to enhance cheese flavor. Like rennet, lipase can be derived from animal, plant, or microbial sources. The lipase used by Kellogg’s cheese suppliers is also stated to be 100% microbial with no pork enzymes.
How Cheez-Its Are Manufactured
Cheez-Its are not directly made with chunks of cheese. The cheese flavoring is made separately then sprayed onto the baked cracker dough pieces.
Here is an overview of how Cheez-Its are made:
- Flour, oil, salt, leavening, and yeast are combined to form the cracker dough.
- The dough is sheeted and cut into small squares.
- The squares are baked until crisp.
- Liquid cheese flavoring is prepared separately using cultured skim milk, salt, and microbial enzymes.
- The baked crackers are sprayed with the cheese flavoring then further baked to set the cheese flavoring.
- The finished Cheez-Its are inspected, packed, and shipped out.
This manufacturing process shows that at no point are any pork enzymes or animal enzymes directly added to the Cheez-Its. The cheese flavoring contains microbial enzymes, not animal.
Certifications
Cheez-Its are certified Kosher and Halal. Products with these certifications must not contain any pork ingredients or pork enzymes.
Cheez-Its are also suitable for vegetarians because they do not contain any animal derived ingredients, just cheese made with microbial enzymes.
The original Cheez-Its are not vegan because they contain cheese made from milk. However, Kellogg’s does offer vegan Cheez-It flavors that are made without milk or cheese ingredients.
Conclusion
Based on the ingredient labels, manufacturing process, and religious certifications, Cheez-It crackers do not contain any pork enzymes or other animal enzymes. The enzymes used in the cheese flavoring are stated to be 100% microbial rennet and lipase. While Cheez-Its are not vegan, they are suitable for vegetarians and those avoiding pork for religious reasons.
| Ingredient | Source |
|---|---|
| Rennet | Microbial |
| Lipase | Microbial |
References
- Cheez-It Original Ingredients. Kellogg’s. https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/products/cheez-it-original-cheese-crackers-product.html
- FAQ. Kellogg’s. https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/faq.html
- Kosher Certification. Kellogg’s. https://www.kelloggs.com/en_US/ourbrands/how-were-made/articles/kelloggs-kosher-certification.html
- Crisps, Crackers and Snacks. Kellogg’s. https://www.kelloggs.co.uk/en_GB/our-brands/veggie-food-at-kellogg-s/crisps-crackers-and-snacks.html