Is Whey derived from animals?
Q When soft cheeses, like cream cheese or cottage cheese, say they use protein from whey, should I assume that it’s derived from animals? A Whey is derived from cow’s milk, so when you say it is ‘derived from animals’ I guess it is, but usually when someone says a product is ‘derived from animals’ it usually refers to it being a slaughterhouse by-product, such as rennet, gelatine, animal fat etc. There is a difference there – do you see? Basically, an animal needs to be killed to provide rennet, gelatine and animal fat but not to provide whey. To clarify, vegetarians technically avoid any foods that contain meat or meat by-products, including rennet, gelatine and animal fats, but they can eat dairy products and egg products if they choose (these products do not directly involve the killing of an animal). But it is an individual thing. Everyone feels differently and draws the line at a different place. I know several people who refer to themselves as ‘vegetarian’ even though they eat ge
