Is Parmesan Cheese Halal?
Edited By Staff Writer, Halal Incorp
Parmesan cheese, sometimes called Parmigiano-Reggiano, is a well known hard cheese sourced from Italy. While its rich, nutty flavour is highly rated around the globe, a lot of Muslims might wonder whether it is Halal (permissible under Islamic law).
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The answer is not black and white & mainly relates to how the cheese is created.
Classically, Parmesan cheese is made using animal rennet which is an enzyme extracted from the stomach lining of calves.
This then essentially leads to a problem for Muslim communities because this type of rennet from animals is not slaughtered in line with Islamic principles & is seen as Haram (forbidden).
Therefore, original Parmigiano-Reggiano, as regulated by Italian law & the EU’s protected designation of origin (PDO), is generally not Halal unless the rennet used comes from halal-slaughtered meat sources which is not normally typical.
But for those looking for this type of cheese thankfully there are alternatives which are available. Some Parmesan-style cheeses are created using microbial or plant-based rennet, which are generally Halal-friendly.
These cheeses are normally labelled as “vegetarian Parmesan” or carry a Halal certification. It’s crucial for Muslim customers to check labels carefully or you can also contact manufacturers directly to clarify the source of rennet which has been administered in the product.
Therefore, most traditional Parmesan cheese is not Halal mainly due to the use of animal-derived rennet from non-Halal slaughter.
Halal-certified Parmesan alternatives created with microbial or plant-based enzymes provide an accessible option for Muslims.
So cheese is a popular staple for Muslim consumers worldwide especially loved on top of a pizza or jammed in between a sandwich or baguette. So make sure you check if your product is Halal before purchasing.
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