Is Digiorno Gluten free four cheese pizza Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed food like frozen pizza is Kosher, we look for three main things: prohibited animals, mixing meat and dairy, and the certification of cheese. Let's look at the specific ingredients in this Digiorno variety.

The primary concern for cheese is rennet. Traditional cheese often uses animal rennet from non-kosher sources. However, the cheeses in this pizza—mozzarella, parmesan, asiago, and romano—are listed with 'enzymes'. In the US market, these enzymes are almost exclusively microbial or vegetable-based, which is Kosher. Furthermore, Digiorno pizzas typically carry an 'OU' (Orthodox Union) symbol on the box, which certifies the cheese is Kosher.

Regarding the crust, the ingredients list wheat starch and buckwheat flour. While wheat itself is Kosher for Passover (with restrictions), the processing here is standard. There are no meat derivatives (like pepperoni or lard) in this four-cheese variety, so it remains a strictly dairy item. The absence of wine or grape derivatives also clears a common hurdle in Italian food processing.

Nutritional Value

While Kosher, this pizza is a calorie-dense comfort food. A standard serving contains roughly 300-350 calories, with a significant portion coming from fat due to the four-cheese blend. The modified rice starch and flax seed help bind the gluten-free crust, but don't expect a high-fiber meal.

The sodium content is moderate for a frozen pizza, hovering around 500mg per slice. If you are watching your salt intake, you should be mindful of eating multiple slices. The sugar content is low (usually 2-3g), which is a plus compared to sweeter tomato sauces found on other frozen brands. It fits a standard diet plan as an occasional indulgence, but it is not a 'health food' replacement for a whole-wheat crust pizza.