Cottage Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cottage Cheese scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Chemical Preservatives (Potassium Sorbate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Locust Bean Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides, Polysorbate 80): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Cheese, this product is more processed than about 94% of the 19,171 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Cottage Cheese's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Phosphoric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.