Answer: Yes (cRc, OK, OU).
Reason: Chazal forbade cheese made by a non-Jew (gevinat akum), even with plant-based rennet, so a Jew must take part in making hard cheese.
Source:
- OK: cheese is “highly kosher-sensitive” and must have a reliable hechsher; cheese made by Gentiles (gevinas akum) is rabbinically forbidden (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 115:2), even with plant-based rennet.
- OU: the Mishnah (Avodah Zarah 29b) rules gevinas akum, cheese made by a non-Jew, rabbinically non-kosher.
- cRc: cheese requires certification; even those lenient on chalav stam agree hard cheese is kosher only if a Jew participates in making it (gevinas Yisroel). Cream cheese and cottage cheese also require kosher certification.
Related questions:
- Does milk need a hechsher? Plain milk: cRc permits it without certification where certified milk is not available.
- Do butter, yogurt and ice cream need a hechsher? Yes (cRc).
References: OK, “Kosher Cheese – Gevinas Yisroel” · OU, “Kosher Cheese” · cRc (askcrc.org), “Cheese” · cRc (askcrc.org), “Cheese (Policy)” · cRc (askcrc.org), “Cream cheese” · cRc (askcrc.org), “Cottage cheese”
