Is Cracker Cut Slices Pepper Jack Cheese Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When analyzing whether a product fits a vegan lifestyle, we must look beyond the marketing and straight at the label. For Cracker Cut Slices Pepper Jack Cheese, the ingredients list leaves no room for ambiguity. The primary ingredient is pasteurized milk. In the world of cheese making, milk is the foundational building block, and unless specified otherwise, this refers to cow's milk. Since the milk comes from an animal, the product is immediately disqualified from being vegan.

The remaining ingredients—cheese culture, salt, and enzymes—are standard in cheesemaking. However, it is important to note that the enzymes used are often animal-derived (such as rennet from calf stomachs) or microbial, but regardless of the enzyme source, the presence of milk makes the final product non-vegan. Furthermore, the inclusion of red and green jalapeno peppers adds flavor but does not change the animal-derived nature of the base cheese. Therefore, this product is suitable for vegetarians (who consume dairy) but strictly off-limits for vegans.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Cracker Cut Slices Pepper Jack Cheese is a source of protein and calcium, but it is also high in saturated fat and sodium. A standard serving typically contains around 80-100 calories per slice, with a significant portion of that coming from fat. For those monitoring their sodium intake, this cheese can contribute a noticeable amount to the daily limit. It contains zero sugar, which is a plus, but the calorie density is something to watch if you are eating multiple slices. It fits well into a high-protein diet but may not be ideal for those strictly limiting saturated fats.