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Doubtful — depends on source
Rennet is the enzyme used to curdle milk into cheese; it can come from animal stomach (halal only if from a halal-slaughtered animal), or be microbial or plant-based (halal) — so it is treated as doubtful (mushbooh) unless the source is known.
Rennet is a set of enzymes used to coagulate milk when making cheese. Traditional 'animal rennet' comes from the stomach lining of young calves; modern cheese often uses microbial rennet or fermentation-produced chymosin, and some uses plant-based coagulants.
Animal rennet is extracted from the stomachs of calves (or other animals). Microbial rennet is produced by fermentation; fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC) is made by microbes carrying the chymosin gene. Plant coagulants also exist.
Rennet's status depends on its source. Microbial rennet, fermentation-produced chymosin and plant coagulants are halal. Animal rennet is permissible only if it comes from a halal-slaughtered, permissible animal — calf rennet from non-halal slaughter is treated as doubtful-to-avoid by most scholars. Because cheese labels often just say 'rennet' or 'enzymes', the honest default is to verify.
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
RennetMicrobial rennetVegetarian rennetChymosinEnzymesIn Singapore, verify the cheese/product on the MUIS HalalSG register. Certified cheeses use an approved (microbial, FPC or halal animal) rennet; for an uncertified cheese listing only 'rennet' or 'enzymes', treat it as doubtful and contact the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: MUIS, FAO/WHO · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
It depends on the source. Microbial rennet, fermentation-produced chymosin and plant coagulants are halal. Animal rennet is halal only if from a halal-slaughtered animal — otherwise it is doubtful-to-avoid. Since labels rarely say, verify.
Check for 'microbial' or 'vegetarian' rennet, or halal certification. If the label only says 'rennet' or 'enzymes', ask the manufacturer about the source.
Rennet that is not from animal stomach — usually microbial or fermentation-produced chymosin, or a plant coagulant. These are halal.
'Microbial rennet', 'vegetarian rennet' or 'chymosin' (halal); plain 'rennet' or 'enzymes' should be verified.
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.