Tops, Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Modified Starches (Modified Potato Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Milk Protein Concentrate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Industrial Enzymes (Enzyme Modified Cheese (Cheddar Cheese [Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes], Water, Natural Flavors, Disodium Phosphate)): 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 Tops, Sharp Cheddar 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.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Citrate, Tricalcium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid As A Preservative, Lactic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Annatto.

Natural sources but still indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vitamin D3.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.