When ordering from a major pizza chain like Domino’s, many customers wonder: Is the cheese on their pizzas real? With so many processed cheese products on the market, it’s a fair question. Some fast-food chains and frozen pizza brands use cheese substitutes or cheese blends to cut costs, improve meltability, and extend shelf life. But does Domino’s follow the same practice, or do they use 100% real cheese?
What is real cheese?
To determine whether Domino’s cheese is real, we first need to understand what real cheese means. According to food regulations in most countries, cheese must be made from:
- Milk
- Rennet or microbial enzymes (to coagulate the milk)
- Salt (for flavour and preservation)
- Cultures or bacteria (to develop flavour and texture)
Real cheese is aged and contains natural milk fats and proteins. Common pizza cheeses like Mozzarella, Cheddar, Provolone and Parmesan fall under this category.
In contrast, cheese products or processed cheese contain additives like:
- Vegetable oils
- Starches or modified food starch
- Emulsifiers
- Preservatives
These ingredients make processed cheese cheaper and more stable, but they also affect flavour and texture. The main concern is whether Domino’s uses real Mozzarella or a processed cheese alternative.
What kind of cheese does Domino’s use?
Domino’s states on its website that it uses 100% real Mozzarella made from milk, with some variations depending on the country. However, their cheese is also a blend, which means it contains other ingredients besides pure Mozzarella.
Here’s a breakdown of their cheese blends in different locations:
1. Domino’s cheese in the U.S.
In the U.S., Domino’s uses a blend of Mozzarella with Provolone and Cheddar in some pizzas. The main cheese supplier for Domino’s in the U.S. is Leprino Foods, one of the largest cheese manufacturers globally.
Leprino’s cheese is real but highly processed. It contains:
- Pasteurized milk (real cheese base)
- Modified food starch (for stability)
- Cellulose powder (to prevent clumping)
- Natamycin (a natural mould inhibitor)
This means that while it is technically real cheese, it has added stabilisers and anti-caking agents.
2. Domino’s cheese in the UK and Europe
In the UK, Domino’s advertises that they use 100% Mozzarella made from milk. However, UK regulations on cheese are stricter than in the U.S., so their cheese does not contain as many additives.
European branches often source their cheese from local dairy farms, making their Mozzarella closer to traditional cheese. However, like in the U.S., some blends may include Cheddar or Provolone for flavour.
3. Domino’s cheese in Australia
In Australia, Domino’s uses Mozzarella cheese from Australian dairy farms. Their cheese does not contain artificial preservatives but still includes anti-caking agents to prevent clumping.
They also offer vegan cheese, which is plant-based and made from coconut oil, not real dairy.
4. Domino’s cheese in India and other Asian countries
In India, Domino’s cheese often contains a higher proportion of vegetable oil to keep costs low. Some locations use a processed cheese blend rather than pure Mozzarella.
This varies between regions, and in some areas, you may be getting a mix of real cheese and processed cheese substitutes.
Why does Domino’s use a cheese blend?
Domino’s doesn’t use pure Mozzarella for a few key reasons:
1. Cost efficiency
Pure Mozzarella is expensive, especially at the volume Domino’s requires. Adding Cheddar, Provolone or starches lowers the overall cost while keeping a cheesy texture.
2. Meltability and texture
A blend melts more evenly than pure Mozzarella. Leprino Foods, the primary supplier, designs its cheese to have a perfect melt and stretch for fast-food pizza.
3. Shelf life and stability
Domino’s needs cheese that can be stored for long periods without clumping or spoiling. That’s why they use cellulose powder and natamycin—they help prevent mould and keep the cheese fresh.
Does Domino’s use fake cheese?
The answer depends on what you define as fake cheese.
- If you consider only traditional, pure cheese as “real,” then Domino’s cheese is not 100% real. It contains starches, anti-caking agents, and preservatives.
- If you consider any cheese made from milk as real cheese, then Domino’s does use real cheese. Their Mozzarella is made from milk, just with extra additives for stability.
Unlike some budget pizza chains, Domino’s does not use completely fake cheese or “cheese analogues” (which are entirely made from vegetable oil). However, their cheese is highly processed, especially in countries like the U.S. and India.
How does Domino’s cheese compare to traditional Mozzarella?
To see the difference, let’s compare Domino’s Mozzarella with authentic Italian Mozzarella di Bufala:
| Feature | Domino’s Mozzarella | Traditional Mozzarella |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Milk, modified food starch, cellulose, natamycin | Buffalo/cow’s milk, rennet, salt |
| Texture | Uniform, firm, processed | Soft, delicate, moist |
| Flavour | Mild, slightly salty | Creamy, rich, tangy |
| Meltability | Even, stretchy | Can be watery, softer melt |
| Shelf life | Long (weeks to months) | Short (a few days) |
While both are technically cheese, traditional Mozzarella is less processed and has no additives.
Should you be concerned about Domino’s cheese?
If you prefer natural, minimally processed cheese, you might want to opt for authentic pizzerias that use fresh Mozzarella. Domino’s cheese, while real, is designed for mass production and consistency, not artisanal quality.
However, if your main concern is whether it contains actual dairy, then yes—Domino’s does use real milk-based cheese, not completely fake substitutes.
How to check if your pizza has real cheese
If you’re unsure whether your pizza has real cheese, look for these signs:
- Does it have an artificial, plasticky texture? If it’s too smooth and rubbery, it may contain too many emulsifiers.
- Does it feel greasy rather than creamy? Real Mozzarella releases moisture, not just oil.
- Does it have a strong cheese flavour? Processed cheese is often bland compared to natural Mozzarella.
Conclusion
Yes, Domino’s does use real cheese, but it is highly processed and contains stabilisers. In most locations, their cheese is a blend of Mozzarella, Cheddar and Provolone, designed for cost-effectiveness, long shelf life and easy melting.
If you’re looking for authentic, fresh Mozzarella, you might prefer artisan pizzerias. However, for fast-food pizza, Domino’s cheese is real enough for most customers.
References
Certainly, here are some references that confirm the information discussed:
- Domino’s Partnership with Leprino Foods: Domino’s has extended its partnership with Leprino Foods, a global leader in Mozzarella cheese production, to supply cheese for over 260 million pizzas annually across Europe and the Asia-Pacific.
- Leprino Foods as a Major Cheese Supplier: Leprino Foods is recognized as the world’s largest Mozzarella cheese maker and is the exclusive supplier of cheese to major pizza chains, including Domino’s, Papa John’s and Pizza Hut.
- Domino’s Cheese Ingredients: Domino’s chooses its ingredients based on safety, taste and nutritional content to deliver a delicious and hot pizza every time.
- Domino’s Cheese Sourcing in Australia: Domino’s Australia has entered an exclusive agreement with Leprino Foods to source all of its Mozzarella cheese needs from the San Joaquin Valley of California, supplying 12 million pounds annually to outlets in Australia and New Zealand.
- Domino’s Nutritional Information: Domino’s provides detailed nutritional information for its menu items, including pizzas, sides, and desserts, ensuring transparency about the ingredients used.
Cheese lover. Scientist. Created a website and a Youtube channel about cheese science because he could not find answers to his questions online.
