Indian cuisine is known for its spices, flavours, and health benefits. Yet, many have embraced fast foods like pizzas, burgers, and noodles—most of which are unhealthy. Pizza lovers beware: the cheese on your slice has a hidden truth that may make you rethink eating it.
The gooey topping on pizza is mozzarella cheese, famous for its stretchy texture. But it is made by curdling milk with a substance called rennet. The curd is then heated and stretched to create that stringy effect when it melts.
Rennet is an enzyme taken from the stomachs of young calves, where it helps digest milk. This means many mozzarella cheeses are made with animal enzymes, raising concerns for vegetarians.
For Indians, cows are sacred, making this revelation unsettling. Eating pizza may mean unknowingly consuming calf-derived rennet. Thankfully, vegetarian rennet made from plants or microbes is also used in some cheeses.
The problem: pizza shops rarely disclose what kind of rennet they use. Some brands label their cheese as “100% Vegetarian,” which means it’s safe for vegetarians. It is best to check before eating.
Indians, especially vegetarians, should ensure their pizza contains mozzarella made with ‘Veg Rennet’ or ‘100% Veg’. Without this, they risk going against their values unknowingly.
Even beyond rennet, pizza is not healthy. Its refined flour base, cheese, and processed toppings add excess fat, sodium, and calories. Regular consumption can cause weight gain, blood pressure, cholesterol, and digestive issues.
Instead of pizzas and burgers, Indian foods are far healthier and suited to our climate. Local diets support gut health and immunity, unlike foreign fast foods that may trigger new health problems.
