Is Mozzarella Cheese Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why standard mozzarella isn't vegan, we need to look at the specific ingredients found in a typical package of low-moisture part-skim mozzarella. The primary ingredient is pasteurized part-skim milk, which is an animal byproduct. This is the foundation of the cheese and immediately disqualifies it from being vegan.

Next, we see cheese culture and enzymes. While cheese cultures are often microbial, the enzymes used in cheese production are frequently derived from animal sources, specifically the stomach lining of calves (rennet). Even if microbial enzymes are used, the presence of milk remains the deciding factor. Finally, the ingredient list includes natamycin, a natural mold inhibitor produced by fermentation. While natamycin itself is microbial, it is used here to preserve an animal-derived product.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, mozzarella is known for being relatively low in calories compared to harder cheeses, but it is dense in saturated fats and sodium. A standard serving provides a significant amount of protein and calcium, which are essential nutrients, but they come packaged with cholesterol. For those monitoring their intake of animal fats or sodium, standard mozzarella can be a concern. It fits into a diet that includes dairy, but for a strictly plant-based diet, the nutritional profile is irrelevant due to the sourcing of the ingredients.