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Trader Joe's Cottage Cheese Small Curd
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Cottage cheeses

Trader Joe's Cottage Cheese Small Curd

454 g

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
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Why it scores 75

Trader Joe's Cottage Cheese Small Curd scores 75 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Salt 0.7 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
  3. Locust bean gum: An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better cottage cheese

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Cottage Cheese Small Curd

START100

Ingredients

  • Locust bean gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Agar
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 2.7 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
  • Salt 0.7 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [3]
  • Protein 10.6 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal−2.5
TOTAL 75Good

100 − 25.5 = 74.5 → 75

GTIN 00000621000090 · 2026-06-13

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy97 kcal
Fat4.4 g
Saturated fat2.7 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates4.4 g
Sugars2.7 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein10.6 g
Salt0.7 g

Serving: 1 portion (113 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

CULTURED PASTEURIZED NONFAT MILK, PASTEURIZED MILK, PASTEURIZED CREAM, SEA SALT, STABILIZER (NONFAT MILK, LOCUST BEAN GUM, AGAR), CARBON DIOXIDE (TO MAINTAIN FRESHNESS).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cottage cheeses in the US

More from Trader Joe's

Sources

  1. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  3. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  5. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  6. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org