My family and I are Costco® Wholesale shoppers and on our monthly trips we always sat down to a delicious giant pizza served by Costco®'s food court. And then we came to know of animal rennet - an enzyme used in cheese manufacturing! Not all cheeses are Haram because some companies; to cater to vegetarians, are switching to microbial enzymes which are Halal because they are from natural bacteria. So you always have to investigate about your pizza before you dig in.
We had stopped eating the Costco® pizza because of the doubts about Kirkland's cheeses.
However, I emailed the Costco® Wholesale Corporation's Member Services; they allow their registered members only to email queries and I emailed the question as follows:
We had stopped eating the Costco® pizza because of the doubts about Kirkland's cheeses.
However, I emailed the Costco® Wholesale Corporation's Member Services; they allow their registered members only to email queries and I emailed the question as follows:
"I would like to inquire about the cheese used in Kirkland's Cheese Pizza served at the restaurant cafe at Costco. Does the cheese contain animal-derived enzymes? Also, does the crust contain any animal products? Is it a pure vegetarian option for me?"
The Member Services Team was very efficient and I received an email the very next day from a rep. called Brittany:
"Dear Ali,
We appreciate you taking the time to email Costco Wholesale. Our Pizza Dough contains: Flour, Water, Olive Oil, Sugar, Salt , and Yeast. The cheese on the pizzas is not Kosher certified. However, it is not processed using animal rennet.
Thank you,
Brittany
Costco Wholesale Corporation"
Brittany
Costco Wholesale Corporation"
NOTE: Please remember to carry your own pizza slicer with you to avoid contamination by meats transferred by the pizza slicer as they use the same for all pizzas.
ALLAH KNOWS BEST.
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ReplyDeleteJAK for your efforts, though....
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is cheese is halal so long as the rennet isn't from a pig
check this out :)
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=432&CATE=29
I just had a live chat with Costco and this is confirmed.
ReplyDeleteMohammed: Hello I prefer to eat Vegetarian hence wanted to ask if the Cheese used in the Costco Veg or Cheese pizza is Kosher or does not use Animal Rennet?
Jessica H.: Hi Mohammed! Thank you for choosing Costco! My name is Jessica H. - I'm reviewing your request and will be with you in just a moment.
Mohammed: i am talking about the Pizza in the food court
Jessica H.: Hi Mohammed! The Food Court cheese used on the pizzas include shredded Mozzarella/Provolone blend and shredded Parmesan cheeses. Both the Mozzarella and the Provolone uses a microbial enzyme (plant). The pizza is not Kosher certified.
The interesting bit is this: "The Food Court cheese used on the pizzas include shredded Mozzarella/Provolone blend and shredded Parmesan cheeses. Both the Mozzarella and the Provolone uses a microbial enzyme (plant)". So of the mozzarella, provolone and parmesan, the first two use a microbial enzyme - great. However, what about the parmesan? They simply did not answer your query! If it is a genuine Italian parmesan, then my understanding is that it uses an animal rennet.
ReplyDeleteYes I have never seen Parmesan cheese with microbial enzymes so ask them not to put that on pizza.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI don’t know about the peper Roney pizza is that halal
pepperoni is usually made from pork, so no, its not halal
DeleteThe parmesan in cheap pizza like Costco does not have animal rennet as it is not sourced from Italy.
ReplyDeletehello,i want to ask if kirkland signature yougurt gelatin, what its source is it lamp or pork
ReplyDeletehi,so we can eat kirkland cheese pizza,
ReplyDeleteany comments on this?
DeleteIs the chicken on the pizza halal from the food court
ReplyDeletecan we eat Kirkland Signature Cheese Pizza, Breadcrumb Crust, 4-count it donthave animal enzyme ?
ReplyDelete