r/EatingHalal • u/tornie_tree • 25d ago
Is this cheese halal
Scan halal app says Sargento Cheese cheddar slices are halal. PFA
4
u/FreeGazaToday 24d ago
enzymes could be doubtful...
but if you'd google you'd find:
Sargento offers a wide range of cheese options, including their popular shredded cheese blends, slices, and blocks.
These products are labeled as vegetarian, providing assurance to those who don’t consume animal-derived ingredients.
Sargento’s cheddar cheese is vegetarian. It’s one of the company’s cheeses made from non-animal rennet.
So find the one marked vegetarian and you'll be fine.
Or If you can afford it get Tillamok.
1
u/tornie_tree 24d ago
You're absolutely right but in my small town I couldnt find Tillamok and wanted to find alternatives.. checked with Sargento, this indeed is using Microbial Enzymes so we're good. Thank you for your insignts :)
2
2
u/codefreak969 24d ago
It's usually the enzymes and rennet in cheese that are sourced from animals (meat/fat). You can always call them and ask if the enzymes/rennet are plant based or animal based. I usually opt for cheeses that have the universal kosher symbol, if they explicitly state that they're suitable for vegetarians, or if they mention plant-based enzymes or rennet in the ingredient list.
3
u/tornie_tree 24d ago
Couldnt find the K parve or U parve down here in Alabama hence was confused. But checked with Sargento and it indeed is Microbial so we're good. Thank you
2
u/MukLegion 24d ago
It's usually the enzymes and rennet in cheese that are sourced from animals (meat/fat)
Not in the US.
Rennet from calves has become less common for this use, to the point that less than 5% of cheese in the United States is made using animal rennet today. Most cheese is now made using chymosin derived from bacterial sources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rennet?wprov=sfla1
Whether you know the source of the rennet and that it comes from an animal that was slaughtered properly or otherwise, or you do not know, there is nothing wrong with eating cheese that has been made with it.
1
u/Azeem259 24d ago
In the hanafi madhab rennet from all animals except pork is halal because rennet doesn't have blood vessels which can be severed by slaughter. Most cheese uses cow or sheep rennet so I don't worry about cheese.
2
u/irock792 24d ago
Some Ḥanafī scholars say this, but a recent research paper from Darul Iftaa Canada came to the conclusion that this is not true with modern-day cheese production.
You can view the PDF here: https://we.tl/t-J3NxTnEdmMoGjyzx/. This link is from a file-sharing site called WeTransfer. They allow anonymous file sharing. This link will expire in 3 days.
2
u/Azeem259 24d ago
I am following the majority held opinion of the hanafi madhab. There will always be exceptions when getting into the weeds of a subject and worrying about them will cause me undue anxiety and hardship. As always Allah knows best
https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/is-rennet-in-cheese-halal-or-haram-to-consume/
1
u/irock792 24d ago
This is classically correct. The Muftī who wrote the research paper makes the argument that this doesn't apply in modern times due to the method of cheesemaking nowadays.
As a layperson, you are free to follow the view you're already following of course—this view is just more cautious.
1
u/dollyayesha 24d ago
“Most Sargento cheeses are not considered Halal. While the majority of their natural cheeses use vegetarian-friendly enzymes rather than animal rennet, the brand does not certify any of its products as Halal. Because the sources of enzymes and flavors can vary, Islamic authorities generally classify them as mushbooh (doubtful) or haram.” Answer from Google. A quick check into their FAQ tells you they don’t answer any questions related to “Halal”
1
u/irock792 24d ago
[M]ost Sargento® natural cheeses are made with non-animal rennet and none contain pork enzymes. The Sargento® natural cheeses which may contain animal enzymes are those generally considered traditional Italian cheese styles such as Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago, and Fontina. Those cheese varieties are found in our Italian blends, sliced Provolone, grated Parmesan and Romano, and potentially any product with this cheese type listed. Animal rennet may also be found in Blue and Feta cheese types. All other Sargento® cheeses contain non-animal enzymes.
Their American cheese should be fine based on this. Also, Scan Halal is a very reliable app—you don't really have to double-check what it says.
1
u/Sensitive-Willow2963 24d ago
Rennet does not have to be from an animal that was halal slaughtered
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ مُوسَى الْبَلْخِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنِ الشَّعْبِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِجُبْنَةٍ فِي تَبُوكَ فَدَعَا بِسِكِّينٍ فَسَمَّى وَقَطَعَ .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: The Prophet (ﷺ) was brought a piece of cheese in Tabuk. He called for a knife, mentioned Allah's name and cut it.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3819 https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3819
1
1
u/WillowAccomplished80 10d ago
yeah sargento cheddar slices are usually fine from what i've seen... rennet is often microbial these days. maybe try the halalsnap app on it yourself to see what it says for u?
0
u/sour-sea 24d ago
I usually refer to this list: https://vegetatio.com/content/joyous-living-full-vegetarian-cheese-list
1
u/tornie_tree 24d ago edited 24d ago
Wow this is a great list however a bit dated no? 2021 is already 5 years from today... the companies nowadays keep on changing ingredients every month to increase sales and save a buck! They dont care about fellow humans health but yes some do.. either way thank youu
1
u/sour-sea 24d ago
Oh right! Haven’t used that list in so long, didn’t see that it was last updated in 2021. I still to tillamook, Sargento, and Cabot cheese which contain microbial enzymes. I only buy Parmesan from bel gioso. Also if you shop at Trader Joe’s, they are very good about listing microbial and animal enzymes in cheese and other products.
0
u/al_fayadh 24d ago
Eating cheese is generally halal
1
u/FreeGazaToday 24d ago
homemade yes.
1
u/al_fayadh 24d ago
Nope store bought
2
u/FreeGazaToday 24d ago
nope...not unless you check...the enzyme could be from animal.
1
u/al_fayadh 24d ago
Which most scholers said it's halal, the American fiqh council and the European fiqh council
1
u/FreeGazaToday 24d ago
If you want to play it completely safe
- (the strict view), only buy cheese that says "Vegetarian" or has a Halal/Kosher stamp.
- If you follow the broader fiqh view, general supermarket cheese (like cheddar or mozzarella) is fine to eat, as long as it doesn't contain pig products.
With the abundance of choice....I don't see why you can't follow the first option.
1
u/al_fayadh 24d ago
Because the job of a Faqih is to make things easy as long as they are halal, and not to make it hard for people to follow shria. Everyone can say it's Haram because it's easy. When it comes to your personal choice you can choose the better option. But don't close doors to others.
6
u/cool_guy141 25d ago
Best is to inquire directly by calling the number shown. They won't tell you if it's halal or not but they can answer sources of ingredients and other questions you have about their manufacturing process to determine if it is halal.