Does Velveeta Cheese Have Pork in It?

Velveeta cheese is a popular American processed cheese product known for its creamy texture and mild taste. It’s commonly used in many recipes from classic mac and cheese to queso dip. But with its unique ingredients and manufacturing process some people wonder – does Velveeta cheese have pork in it?

As a cheese lover and food blogger, I was curious about this myself. I decided to do some research to get the facts straight. Keep reading to learn all about Velveeta’s ingredients, how it’s made, and whether or not it contains pork products.

A Brief History of Velveeta Cheese

To understand Velveeta’s ingredients, it helps to know a little about its history Velveeta was first invented in 1918 by Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company in New York. At the time, cheddar cheese was expensive and hard to melt smoothly, so Frey developed a cheaper, more meltable alternative

In 1923, Velveeta was sold to Kraft and marketed as an “American Swiss cheese food.” Back then it was made with a blend of Colby and Swiss cheeses. Over the years, Kraft tweaked the recipe to include whey proteins and emulsifying salts that gave Velveeta its signature smooth, creamy meltability.

By the 1950s, Velveeta had become an American staple, used in everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to cheese dips. Today it remains a popular processed cheese option for its versatility, long shelf life, and kid-friendly mild flavor.

Checking the Ingredients List

So what exactly is in the Velveeta we buy today? Let’s start by looking at the ingredients list found on Kraft’s website:

• Milk
• Whey
• Milk Protein Concentrate
• Milkfat
• Whey Protein Concentrate
• Salt
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Alginate
• Sorbic Acid (Preservative)
• Lactic Acid
• Annatto and Paprika (Color)
• Enzymes

Right off the bat, we see some common dairy ingredients like milk, milkfat, whey, and milk proteins. We also see preservatives, acids, colors, and salt. But what about those “enzymes”? Could this be where pork comes into play?

The Role of Enzymes in Cheese Making

To understand if the enzymes in Velveeta are pork-derived, it helps to understand what enzymes do in cheese production. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts to speed up chemical reactions. They play several roles:

• Coagulating Milk Proteins: Enzymes like chymosin and pepsin help coagulate the casein proteins in milk, separating curds from whey.

• Flavor Development: Enzymes called lipases and proteases break down fats and proteins to develop cheese flavor over time.

• Aging and Ripening: Enzymes are again used in the aging and ripening process to break down cheese components.

Cheesemakers can derive enzymes from four main sources:

• Animal Sources: Traditionally, the enzyme chymosin came from the stomach lining of young calves. Other animal enzymes can come from adult cow stomachs, kid goats, and lambs.

• Plant Sources: Enzymes like papain from papaya or bromelain from pineapple may also be used.

• Microbial Sources: By far the most common source today, microbial enzymes are grown via fermentation of bacteria, yeasts, or molds.

• Genetically Engineered: Some chymosin today is genetially engineered using microorganisms hosts like E.coli bacteria.

So in theory, cheese enzymes could be derived from pork sources. But let’s specifically look at Velveeta’s enzymes.

Velveeta’s Mystery Enzymes

On Velveeta’s ingredients list, the source of the enzymes is not specified. This leaves some consumers wondering if pork enzymes are used. To find out, I contacted Kraft Heinz customer service for more details.

According to their representative, the enzymes used in Velveeta are microbial, not animal-derived. This means Velveeta’s enzymes are grown via microbial fermentation, not extracted from calf stomachs or other animal sources.

While the exact strains were proprietary information, the customer service rep assured me no pork products are used in Velveeta’s production. So while it’s possible other cheeses may use animal-based enzymes, Velveeta appears to rely only on fermented microbes.

Why Enzymes Matter to Some Consumers

Knowing Velveeta doesn’t contain pork-derived enzymes will provide peace of mind for some consumers. Here’s a look at why the enzyme source matters:

• Vegetarians/Vegans: Vegetarians and vegans prefer to avoid animal-derived ingredients when possible. Microbial enzymes make Velveeta suitable for vegetarian diets.

• Religious Dietary Laws: Certain religious groups like Muslims and Jews only consume meat from certain animal sources. Pork is prohibited, so pork enzymes would be a concern.

• Allergies: Though rare, pork allergies do exist. Microbial enzymes prevent allergic reactions.

• Personal Preference: Some people simply prefer to avoid pork for personal reasons. Velveeta gives them a pork-free cheese option.

Other Cheeses That May Contain Pork Enzymes

While Velveeta is in the clear, some traditional cheeses do use animal-derived enzymes as part of their artisanal process. These may contain pork, depending on the cheesemaker:

• Some aged Cheddars
• Some Swiss cheeses
• Some Pecorino Romano
• Some Goudas
• Some Manchegos
• Some Parmesan (not all)

For these types of cheeses, checking labels for “animal enzymes” indicates they may be pork-derived. Calling the cheese company to inquire may be necessary to know for sure. Sticking to cheeses made with microbial enzymes or vegetable rennet is a safer bet.

The Takeaway: Velveeta and Pork Enzymes

To summarize this cheesy investigation – no, Velveeta does not contain pork enzymes or any other pork-derived ingredients. While it does include “enzymes” on its label, Kraft has confirmed these are microbial enzymes from fermentation, not animal sources.

This reassures vegetarians, those following religious dietary laws, and anyone avoiding pork for personal reasons that Velveeta can still be part of a pork-free diet. When it comes to other cheeses, artisanal types may use animal enzymes from various sources, possibly including pork. But big brand Velveeta relies strictly on microbes for its smooth, creamy texture and taste.

So spread, melt, and enjoy your Velveeta cheese without worrying about what’s in it! When cooking for family or guests with pork restrictions, you can rest easy knowing this staple cheese product has no piggy parts involved. Your cheese-loving, pork-avoiding friends will thank you!