This is a little odd considering I’m not eating any cheese (on purpose anyway!) right now, but a kind commenter left me this information a while ago on my 100%-vegetarian-cheeses post, and I forgot to post about it — and I think it would be really useful for vegetarians looking to buy French cheeses.
Anyway, Benji tells me that some kind British vegetarian expatriates living in France told him that the good French cheeses are not vegetarian because French law mandates that those cheese manufacturers that are granted the appelate or “official region” branding cannot NOT use animal rennet enzymes as the basis of their cheeses, since that is the traditional method of making cheese, despite the fact that vegetarian microbial enzymes are widely and cheaply available. This way, French law protects the traditional French cheesemakers. (And there’s a similar situation for wine — oh horrors, does this mean I will be unable to drink French wine? It’s really not much of an issue for me — I tend to stick with cheap wine, myself.)
Though apparently the not-so-exciting French cheeses that say “convenient aux vegetarians” or “sans plessure/plesure” (without rennet) — are vegetarian.
So the bottom line is — buy French cheese, but only if it says “convenient aux vegetarians” or “sans plessure/plesure” on the label. And if you’re a vegetarian living in France — badger your government officials! Ask them to allow vegan cheese starter.
Categories : cruelty free, humane farming, vegetarian
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Wendy Koenigsmann
January 31st, 2009 at 4:56 am
“since that is the traditional method of making cheese,”
–Tradition, tradition. You know, I really appreciate French culture, the art, the music, everything, but they are sometimes a little odd when it comes to all this tradition. I mean, come on now, it’s cheese.
I usually buy my cheese from Trader Joe’s, as they’ve got great cheese that doesn’t have animal rennet.
Emily
January 31st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
I couldn’t agree more!
jean knowles
August 31st, 2009 at 3:53 am
Yes I’m living in france at present, with a vegetarian daughter and we are looking at the possibility of growing our own substitue for rennet and then making our own, or seeing if we can supply it to a local cheesmaker.
Emily
January 24th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Good for you! Please drop me a line if you start supplying it to a local cheesemaker!
ct
March 4th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
im working in a cheeseroom in singapore and at the moment finding information about vegetarian cheeses. most cheeses that i carry are french n english. i believe all english cheeses are vegetarian. isit true?
Emily
March 14th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Hi CT!
Gosh, I don’t think so — I’m pretty sure there are English cheeses made with animal rennet. I don’t know much about it though — I hope someone who knows more about that may pipe in to this thread! I can ask around a bit as well and get back to you.
Regards,
Emily
malcolm
May 9th, 2010 at 12:34 am
For sure not all English cheeses are vegetarian but a lot are. The best range of labelled vegetarian cheeses in the UK seems to be Sainsburies..their labelling rules are excellent
Emily
May 29th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Hi Malcolm!
Thanks for writing in — I’m so glad to hear there’s a range of cheeses out there with excellent labeling rules. Yay for Sainsbury cheeses then! That’s really wonderful they’re so vegetarian-friendly.
Regards,
Emily
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