Is Real Grated Parmesan Cheese Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the vegan test, we need to look closely at the label. The primary ingredient is PARMESAN CHEESE, which is explicitly defined as being made from PASTEURIZED PART-SKIM COW'S MILK. Since milk is an animal byproduct, this immediately disqualifies the product from being vegan.

Furthermore, the production of Parmesan involves CHEESE CULTURES and ENZYMES. In traditional Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano), these enzymes are derived from the stomach lining of unweaned calves, known as rennet. While some modern cheeses use microbial or vegetable-based enzymes, the presence of animal milk usually suggests the use of animal rennet unless specifically labeled as vegetarian. The second ingredient listed is POWDERED CELLULOSE, which is an anti-caking agent derived from plant fiber (usually wood pulp) to prevent clumping. While cellulose itself is plant-based, its presence here is simply to maintain texture and does not make the overall product vegan.

Nutritional Value

Real Grated Parmesan Cheese is a calorie-dense food, primarily due to its high fat and protein content derived from dairy. A standard serving contains a significant amount of saturated fat and sodium, which are inherent to aged cheeses. It is very low in carbohydrates and contains almost no sugar, which is typical for hard cheeses. While it provides a good source of calcium and protein, the high sodium and saturated fat levels mean it should be consumed in moderation, especially by those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. It fits into low-carb or keto diets well, but strict vegans must avoid it entirely due to the dairy content.