Methods for screening pancrelipase for RNA virus contamination comprise removing free viral RNA from the pancrelipase, denaturing any viruses in the pancrelipase to release encapsidated RNA into the pancrelipase milieu, and detecting this released RNA. Removal of free viral RNA may comprise treating pancrelipase with RNase and DNase or precipitating the protein fraction of pancrelipase with a salt that precipitates the protein fraction while leaving nucleic acids such as RNA in solution. Pancrelipase substantially devoid of free nucleic acid is also provided.