Is cheese halal?

Rennet is the enzyme that curdles milk into curds. Traditionally it came from the stomach lining of calves, which raises the question of how the calf was slaughtered. Today most cheese is made with microbial enzymes grown by fermentation, or with fermentation-produced chymosin, neither of which involves an animal. Some cheeses still use animal rennet, and a few use lipase from pigs or lambs for flavour.

"Microbial enzymes" or "vegetable rennet": no animal, halal. "Suitable for vegetarians": no animal rennet, though it says nothing about alcohol in flavourings. "Enzymes" or "rennet" alone: the source is not stated and could be animal. "Animal rennet" or "traditional rennet": from a calf, slaughter unknown. "Lipase": often from animals, ask the maker. A halal mark from a certifier settles all of it.

The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) explains that rennet from a halal-slaughtered animal is halal, rennet from pigs is haram, and rennet from an animal not slaughtered the Islamic way is where views split. A classical Hanafi view holds that rennet is pure even from an animal that was not slaughtered Islamically, since it is not flesh. Many contemporary certifiers, including SANHA and the American Halal Foundation, require that animal enzymes come from halal-slaughtered animals before they certify a cheese. Muzzmi does not rule on this: follow your own scholar.

Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano must be made with calf rennet under their protected recipes, so they use animal rennet by definition. Pecorino Romano uses lamb rennet and often lamb lipase. Some aged cheddars, Gruyère, Emmental, Manchego and Roquefort also use animal rennet. Mozzarella, cream cheese, cottage cheese and most mass-market cheddar are usually made with microbial enzymes, but read each pack. The American Halal Foundation notes that halal cheese certification checks every enzyme and culture in the recipe.

Whey is the liquid left after curdling, so it carries the same question as the cheese it came from. Darul Ifta New Zealand treats whey like rennet: halal when the rennet was microbial or from a halal-slaughtered animal. Whey powder is in crisps, protein powder and chocolate, which is why Cheetos and Doritos raise the same enzyme question.

Look for a halal mark, then for microbial enzymes or vegetarian on the pack. If the label only says enzymes, check the brand's FAQ or ask. Muzzmi's free label scanner flags enzymes, rennet, lipase and other source-dependent ingredients such as E471 on any barcode.