Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, Sharp Cheddar

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, Sharp Cheddar scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Milk Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzymes): Industrial enzyme use indicates significant processing.

Within Cheese, this product is more processed than about 78% 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 Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, Sharp Cheddar'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.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Citrate, Calcium Phosphate, Sodium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

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: Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid As A Preservative.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.