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| - Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A Facebook reel claims that Pfizer’s bioengineered rennet used in cheese production is harmful to human health. Our fact check reveals it’s False.
The Claim
A video circulating on Facebook suggests that Pfizer’s bioengineered rennet, specifically the version known as fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC), is harmful to human health. The post further comments that the pharmaceutical industry is motivated by profit. They are intentionally using this rennet in cheese production to make people sick so that they can earn more profit.
Fact Check
What is Pfizer rennet, and how is it used in cheese production?
Pfizer rennet, especially the bioengineered version, is an important enzyme which has its applications in the cheese-making process. This enzyme, chymosin, curdles casein—a milk protein—separating milk into solid curds and liquid whey. This process is essential for transforming milk into cheese. Traditionally, rennet was obtained from the stomach lining of ruminant animals, but Pfizer’s bioengineered rennet offers an efficient alternative. Thus, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved rennet as the first bioengineered food product in 1990.
Pfizer rennet, or fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC), is made through a fermentation process involving genetically modified microbes engineered to produce chymosin. Despite the use of genetic modification, the final enzyme is identical to the naturally occurring one found in animals. This ensures that Pfizer rennet is safe for use in cheese. This safety is important, especially when considering the health benefits of cheese, such as boosting immunity and metabolism.
How is Pfizer involved in the production of bioengineered rennet?
Pfizer is one of the companies involved in the production of bioengineered rennet, especially FPC. In the 1980s, scientists developed a method to insert the gene responsible for producing chymosin from bovine cells into microbes. Then, these genetically modified microbes are used in a fermentation process to produce large quantities of chymosin, which is used in cheese production.
Pfizer’s role in the production of bioengineered rennet is significant because it offers an alternative to traditional animal-derived rennet. This allows the growing demand for cheese to be met efficiently while keeping Pfizer rennet safe for use in cheese一a crucial factor when discussing potential issues like cheese causing addiction.
Is there any scientific basis for the claim that Pfizer’s rennet is harmful?
No, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that Pfizer’s rennet is harmful to human health. FPC is classified by the US FDA as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS). This classification confirms the safety of Pfizer rennet in cheese production, as it has been rigorously evaluated for safety.
The enzyme produced through the FPC process is chymosin. It is the same as the enzyme which is naturally produced in the stomachs of ruminant animals. The final product used in cheese-making is purified chymosin, which has been proven safe for human consumption.
Have there been any reported health issues linked to Pfizer’s rennet in cheese?
There have been no credible reports of health issues directly linked to the consumption of cheese made with Pfizer’s rennet. Scientific research or health authorities do not support the claim that FPC or bioengineered rennet is harmful. On the contrary, FPC has been used in cheese production for decades without any evidence of adverse health effects. This long-term use supports the safety of Pfizer rennet in cheese.
What does the evidence say about the safety of Pfizer’s rennet in cheese production?
The evidence overwhelmingly supports the safety of Pfizer rennet in cheese production. The FDA’s GRAS designation for FPC comes from scientific studies that have rigorously tested its safety for human consumption. Additionally, FPC is very popular in the cheese industry, with no credible reports of adverse health effects.
Rennet, whether derived from animals or produced through fermentation, is a catalyst in the cheese-making process. It is not present in significant amounts in the final cheese product, and the enzyme itself is broken down during digestion. Therefore, concerns about the safety of Pfizer rennet in cheese are baseless. This also reinforces the notion that consuming cheese can be risk-free, even for heart patients.
THIP Media Take
The claim that Pfizer’s rennet used in cheese production is harmful to human health is false. Scientific evidence and expert opinions confirm that the safety of Pfizer rennet in cheese production is well-established. The fear mongering around this issue appears to come from misinformation. This is a case of misunderstanding of bioengineering and its applications in food production.
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