"Animal-Free" Cream Cheese: Is It Vegan?
By Jeannie Yacoubou, MS
In 2021, the VRG reported on "animal-free" whey protein developed by Perfect Day. See: www.vrg.org/blog/2021/10/07/whey-produced-from-a-genetic-code-is-it-animal-free/amp/
Perfect Day's whey protein is not taken directly from cow's milk. It is produced by microorganisms possessing bovine-derived genetic material coding for whey. The bovine genetic information was taken from a virtual DNA library and based on actual genetic material "...taken from the blood of 8-year-old L1 Dominette 01449, a cow living in Montana, in 2009." The resulting whey protein is functionally identical to cow's whey. This means it performs the same roles just like cow's whey in foods and beverages. For example, it could be used as a fat replacer, emulsifier, or texturizer.
Because "animal-free" whey is genetically identical to cow's milk whey, people with cow's milk allergies should avoid the "animal-free" whey protein as well as stay away from cow's milk and ingredients derived from it.
In our previous article, we listed a few seemingly non-dairy ice cream brands that already use this whey protein. We also predicted that Perfect Day's "animal-free" whey—as well as "animal-free" caseins that are proteins also found in cow's milk—would soon become widely used in a large number of other food and beverage products. So, it was no surprise to read about the launch in November 2021 of an "animal-free" cream cheese alternative by General Mills.
Called Bold Cultr, this cream cheese product is labeled with the phrase "contains milk allergens" on the front and back of the container. This statement alerts consumers with dairy sensitivities or allergies as well as people who steer clear of dairy for other reasons.
The bovine gene-derived whey appears on the ingredients label of this product as "non-animal whey protein (contains milk allergens)." Interested readers should note the second ingredient on the label (after water) is "oil blend (palm oil and palm kernel oil)."
Are "animal-free" proteins, including lab-based meat, vegan? Some vegans we know would probably say that proteins manufactured by genetically engineered microbes containing animal-derived genetic blueprints are not vegan. There is still an animal substance involved in making such proteins. However, companies producing these "animal-free" proteins may interpret otherwise. (See poll on this topic later in the year in Volume 41, Issue 4.)
If you're vegan, make your views known. Encourage regulators and companies to make sure that foods produced from animal cells or descendants of animal cells are clearly labeled so that consumers can make their own decisions. Let us know what you think.
