Is Rennet Halal?
rennet is considered haram (not permissible). Animal rennet from non-halal slaughtered animals is haram.
Why this status?
Animal rennet from non-halal slaughtered animals is haram. Microbial or plant rennet is halal.
Editorial summary
This summary is editorial and is general information, not a religious ruling. The status above is unchanged.
What it is
Rennet is a mix of enzymes used to curdle milk when making cheese. Traditional rennet comes from the stomach lining of young calves, but cheesemakers also use enzymes from microbes and plants, and fermentation-produced chymosin, which is made by microorganisms. Our entry is rated haram for animal rennet from non-halal slaughter, while microbial or plant rennet is halal.
What scholars say
There is agreement at the edges. Rennet from a calf slaughtered according to Islamic rules makes halal cheese, and rennet from a pig is prohibited. In between, schools differ: a Hanafi view holds that rennet from any slaughtered animal other than a pig is permissible, while most Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali scholars regard rennet from animals not slaughtered according to Islamic law as impure. Because most European and American animal rennet does not come from halal slaughter, the question is a live one for many Muslims.
Reading a label
Cheese labels often say only enzymes or microbial enzymes, and the source of animal rennet is not stated. Look for a halal certificate, for wording such as microbial rennet or vegetarian cheese, and for cheeses that are protected-designation products with a fixed recipe, since traditional Parmigiano Reggiano, for example, is made with calf rennet. Ask the maker when the label does not say.
Common products
Rennet matters most in hard and aged cheeses, but it also appears in some cottage cheese, cheese snacks and ready meals made with cheese. Many cheeses sold as vegetarian use microbial rennet, and halal-certified cheeses are widely sold, so they are easy to find in most large stores. Ask at a deli counter what rennet was used for the cheese you want.
In short
In short, rennet from a pig is prohibited, from a halal-slaughtered calf is acceptable, and in between scholars differ. Microbial and plant rennet avoid the question, and the label rarely says which was used.
Also listed on labels as
rennet can appear on an ingredient list as animal rennet, calf rennet.
What to do when a product lists it
A product that lists this ingredient is not permissible for those who follow this rating, so look for an alternative made without it. Some ingredients have halal-certified or plant-based versions, and a recognized halal certificate is the way to confirm that a particular product uses one. Recipes change and differ between countries, so check the package in your hands.
Products and questions that involve rennet
Sources
Classification based on clinical nutrition assessment; no independent published study cited.
Reviewed by Habib Aman, Islamic Scholar, MBA — last reviewed September 27, 2026.
This is general guidance for everyday shopping, not a religious ruling. Formulations vary by manufacturer and country — confirm with the manufacturer or your local scholar when it matters.
Checking a whole product?
SafaScan is a halal scanner app that is coming soon. It will check rennet and every other ingredient on a product. Sign up for launch updates. Learn about SafaScan.
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