Mexican cheeses
Trader Joe's Mexican Style Cheese Blend
12 oz (340 g)
Score
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 79
Trader Joe's Mexican Style Cheese Blend scores 79 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 9 points Salt 4.8 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 63.8 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. Strong
- minus 2.5 points Natamycin: Health Canada permits it only in listed foods, such as on the surface of cheese. Regulatory
Capped at 79: High in saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level).
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cheese
-
4 Cheese Mexican Sargento · 1 lb Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 92 out of 100 , 13 points higher -
Queso Fresco Natural Mexican Style Fresh Farmer's Cheese for Crumbling V&V Supremo · 28 g Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 89 out of 100 , 10 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Mexican Style Cheese Blend
Ingredients
- Natamycin minus 2.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 63.8 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 4.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 357 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 17 = 83 → capped at 79
Capped at 79. High in saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 357 kcal |
|---|---|
| Saturated fat | 63.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38.3 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Salt | 4.8 g |
Serving: 1 serving (28 g)
Ingredients
- CHEDDAR CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK
- CHEESE CULTUR MICROBIAL ENZYME
- ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLORD, MONE JACK CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT ROBIAL ENZYME)
- ASADERO CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE SALT MICROBIAL ENZYME)
- QUESO QUESADILLA CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK CHEESE CULTURE
- SALT
- MICROBIAL ENZYME)
- ANTI-CAKING AGENT POTATO STARCH
- TAPIOCA STARCH
- NATAMYCIN MOLD INHIBIT CONTAINS MILL
Label text, as published
CHEDDAR CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTUR MICROBIAL ENZYME, ANNATTO EXTRACT [COLORD, MONE JACK CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT ROBIAL ENZYME), ASADERO CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE SALT MICROBIAL ENZYME), QUESO QUESADILLA CHEESE PASTEURIZED MILK CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYME), ANTI-CAKING AGENT POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, NATAMYCIN MOLD INHIBIT CONTAINS MILL
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
Always check the package: recipes change.
More Mexican cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Finely Shredded 3 Cheese Mexican Organic Valley · 170 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatCertified organic Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Mexican Style Four Cheese Kraft · 8 oz Ultra-processedNo synthetic dyes Score 74 out of 100 Good -
Mexican Style Blend Cheese Kroger · 32 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 77 out of 100 Good -
QUESADILLA Mexican Style Melting Cheese La Chona · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 71 out of 100 Good
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
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11. List of Permitted Preservatives (Lists of Permitted Food Additives)
“B.2 Butylated Hydroxyanisole n/a (a) Active dry yeasts (a) Preservative (a) 1,000 ppm n/a”
canada.ca
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“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
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk