Cheetos are a very popular snack with cheesy flavors to flamin hot versions but do they have pork in them?
Table of Contents
Do Cheetos Contain Pork
Although it may not be clearly noted on the products label many Cheetos brand products do contain pork products or other animal-derived ingredients.
How Can Cheetos Not List Pork As An Ingredient
Due to laws and regulations and terms that we may not understand clearly many animal ingredients can be listed under umbrella terms like flavorings, colorings, additives, and enzymes.
Why Would Cheetos Contain Pork
The majority of Cheetos flavors and products are base around the flavor of cheese often with some additions like hot spicy flavoring.
The cheese flavoring often includes rennet or other animal-derived enzymes.
What Is Rennet And Enzymes In Cheese Flavorings
Rennet or enzymes are often provided from the stomachs of cows and pigs.
It may sound crazy but, it’s true.
This ingredient has been used for years to help coagulate cheese during cheese making.
Cheeto Brand Products That Contain Animal Products
All of the Cheetos brand products contain some form of animal products in them in the form of cheese flavoring.
The cheese flavorings often include dairy products like cheese, milk, and buttermilk.
Cheetos Brands Products That Do Not Contain Pork Enzymes
Cheetos Brand snacks have clearly listed on their website their US-based products that do not contain pork enzymes.
- CHEETOS® Baked Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Cheddar Flavored Popcorn
- CHEETOS® Cheddar Jalapeno Flavored Popcorn
- CHEETOS® Crunch Pop Mix Cheese Popcorn and Snack Mix
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy Flamin’ Hot® Limón Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Crunchy XXTRA Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Flamin’ Hot® Flavored Popcorn
- CHEETOS® Flavor Shots Flamin’ Hot Asteroids Flavored Corn Puffs
- CHEETOS® Paws™ Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Puffs Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Crunchy Flamin’ Hot Limon Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Reduced Fat Puffs Flamin’ Hot® Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Simply Crunchy White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Simply Crunchy White Cheddar Jalapeno Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® Simply Puffs White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks
- CHEETOS® White Cheddar Bites Cheese Flavored Snacks
Where Are The Enzyme In Cheetos Products From
Although, Cheetos brand indicates which products do not contain pork enzymes they do not clearly note where the enzymes are sourced from.
They may be from vegetables, microbial or other animals like cows.
Are Cheetos Vegetarian
Due to containing enzymes within the cheese flavoring that are not clearly noted where they are from, Cheetos snacks are not vegetarian-friendly food.
It’s ultimately up to you if you are ok with taking a chance on the enzyme source.
Are Cheetos Vegan
Due to containing possible animal-derived enzymes, Cheetos snacks may also include non-vegan ingredients like milk and buttermilk making many Cheetos flavors and products not vegan.
Are Cheetos Halal
Cheetos are not considered Halal for more information on why visit Halal Wisdom.
What Are Cheetos Made Of
Classic crunchy Cheetos contain the following ingredients.
Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower Oil), Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Canola Oil, Maltodextrin [Made from Corn], Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutamate, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Artificial Color [Yellow 6]), and Salt.
Do Cheetos Contain GMO Ingredients
Unfortunately, Cheetos contains a variety of GMO ingredients including Enriched Corn Meal, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
Are Cheetos Organic
Although, Cheetos offers a cleaner option under the “Simply” name that does not include artificial flavors they are still not organic and contain GMO corn.
Organic Cheeto Alternatives
- Lesser Evil Hot Crunchy Cheese Puffs
- Lesser Evil “No Cheese” Cheese Puffs
- Hot & Spicy Cheese Fries
- Good Health Cheddar Cheese Fries
- Hippeas Nacho Vibes
- Hippeas Sriracha Sunshine
Are There Any Vegan-Friendly Cheetos
- Lesser Evil Hot Crunchy Cheese Puffs
- Lesser Evil “No Cheese” Cheese Puffs
- Hippeas Nacho Vibes
- Hippeas Sriracha Sunshine
Final Thoughts
Pork seems like a strange ingredient to be in Cheetos or a crunchy cheese snack but, unfortunately, many people are not aware of the ingredients that are used to make cheese and cheese flavorings.
Although many Cheetos brand products do not contain pork it is unclear exactly where the enzymes are from.
Vegans also have the inclusion of dairy products like whey, milk, and cheese which makes Cheetos off-limits.
Even those that consume dairy and meat also face the fact that Cheetos includes many GMO ingredients.
Luckily there are many other brands that make similar products that are Organic, GMO-free, and vegan.
