Does Original String contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, Original String contains dairy (milk). It is naturally gluten-free, as the ingredients do not include wheat, barley, or rye.

Is Original String good for weight loss?

Yes, it is a good option for weight loss. With roughly 80 calories and 6-7 grams of protein per stick, it helps keep you full without spiking blood sugar.

Where can I buy Original String?

Original String is widely available at major grocery chains (like Walmart, Kroger, and Safeway) and online retailers such as Amazon.

Is Original String safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for kids. It is low in sugar and free of caffeine. However, be mindful of choking hazards for very young children with any cheese stick product.

Is Original String Halal?

Yes, Original String is halal. Based on the ingredient label for the standard low moisture part skim mozzarella variety, there are no haram components such as animal rennet or alcohol-based flavorings. It is a dairy-based product that aligns with halal dietary guidelines.

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why Original String is considered halal, we need to look at the four core ingredients listed on the packaging: pasteurized part skim milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes.

First, the base ingredient is pasteurized part skim milk. Milk is naturally halal, provided it comes from a permissible animal (which cows are). The pasteurization process simply heats the milk to kill bacteria and does not involve any non-halal additives.

Next, we have cheese cultures and enzymes. This is the most critical part of the analysis for cheese products. In the past, enzymes (specifically rennet) were often sourced from the stomachs of unslaughtered animals, making them haram. However, modern string cheese almost exclusively uses microbial enzymes (derived from fungi or bacteria) or vegetable-based enzymes. Since the manufacturer does not specify animal rennet, we can safely assume these are the non-animal sources used, rendering the product halal.

Finally, salt is a mineral and is permissible. There are no artificial colors, pork-derived gelatins, or alcohol-based preservatives listed in the ingredients.

Nutritional Value

While the halal status is confirmed, the nutritional profile is equally important for those maintaining a balanced diet. A single stick of Original String typically contains around 80 calories, with a significant portion coming from protein (about 6-7 grams).

The fat content is relatively low due to the 'part skim' nature of the mozzarella, usually sitting around 5-6 grams per serving. It also provides a decent amount of calcium. Regarding sugar, string cheese is naturally very low in sugar (less than 1 gram), making it a better alternative to many processed snacks that are high in added sugars. It fits well into low-carb and keto diets, though the sodium content (around 200mg) should be monitored by those strictly limiting salt intake.