It’s a bad day to be a cheese-loving vegetarian…

It turns out that one of the most beloved and iconic cheeses, Parmesan, is actually made using animal rennet.

If you’re not sure what that is, prepare your stomachs (hint, hint) while we break it down for you.

Warning: this may make you feel a little queasy. ????

Parmesan cheese is made with animal rennet which is an enzyme that comes from the fourth lining of the stomach of animals, typically calves, goats, and lambs.

The animal is usually killed in the process.

The rennet is then taken and dried so it becomes solid.

Then when it’s time to make the cheese, the rennet is then rehydrated in water. 

This liquid is then added to milk which is then churned to make cheese.

The rennet is the ingredient that helps break the solid particles in milk away from the water content in order to form a solid mass, allowing curds to form.

The revelation has sparked a debate online, with some expressing shock that they have been consuming an ingredient derived from animal’s stomachs.

One popular tweet that drew attention to the issue read: “Today years old when I found out Parmesan cheese is made from baby cow’s stomach and I could go cry. I’m just gonna have to go full vegan at this point.”

“Horrifying! Why are we eating baby anything as a species,” one person replied.

Another said: “I just can’t … I’m done.”

A third wrote: “Wow I had never heard that! Dairy is scary for real.”

“That’s really gross. I never want cheese again in my life,” a fourth claimed.

So, what’s a cheese lover to do?

If the whole animal rennet thing doesn’t sit right with you but you’re not ready to give up cheese altogether, don’t fear – there are other naturally occurring and more ethical options available.

Thankfully, modern technology has allowed for non-animal rennet to be developed, with some cheese brands using rennet derived from plants.

Some cheesemakers even use microbial rennet, which comes from bacteria and fungi.

Of course, you could also seek out plant-based cheese alternatives altogether, such as vegan cheeses.

But sadly, Parmesan cheese is always made with animal rennet, because cheeses from a specific location need to follow a consistent recipe in order to use the name.

According to the Vegetarian Society, Parmesan cheese always has to use animal rennet.