Tag: Vegetarian friendly cheese

Over 90% of cheese produced in the United States uses non-animal rennet, yet many traditional cheeses, including true Parmigiano-Reggiano, are not vegetarian. Determining which brand of parmesan cheese is vegetarian requires a careful check of ingredient labels, as it depends entirely on the type of rennet used in the production process.

According to a 2021 survey, approximately 90% of commercial cheese produced in the United States uses microbial or plant-based rennet, making most common pizza cheeses vegetarian-friendly. However, the deceptively simple question, "Can vegetarians eat cheese and tomato pizza?" still requires careful consideration due to traditional cheesemaking methods involving animal-derived rennet. Understanding the difference is crucial for a truly meat-free meal.