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Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Mexican cheeses

Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese

8 oz

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 74

Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese scores 74 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. Modified starch: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
  3. Natamycin: Health Canada permits it only in listed foods, such as on the surface of cheese. Regulatory

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

Better cheese

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

The Receipt

Mexican Style Four Cheese

START100

Ingredients

  • Modified starch
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Natamycin
    Regulatory Health Canada permits it only in listed foods, such as on the surface of cheese. [2]
subtotal−5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added) and modified starch. [1]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 5 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [3]
  • Salt 0.5 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some salt. [4]
  • Fiber 4 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [5]
subtotal−1.5
TOTAL 74Good

100 − 26 = 74

GTIN 00021000054961 · 2026-04-23

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy100 kcal
Fat8 g
Saturated fat5 g
Carbohydrates1 g
Fiber4 g
Protein6 g
Salt0.5 g

Serving: 1 portion (28 g)

Ingredients

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

Ingredients MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), CHEDDAR CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO [COLOR]), ASADERO CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, CITRIC ACID, ENZYMES), QUESO QUESADILLA CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, VINEGAR, CITRIC ACID, ENZYMES), MODIFIED CORNSTARCH ADDED TO PREVENT CAKING, NATAMYCIN (A NATURAL MOLD INHIBITOR)

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest Mexican cheeses in the US

More from Kraft

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 11. List of Permitted Preservatives (Lists of Permitted Food Additives)

    Health Canada · Oct 20, 2025 · Regulator

    “B.2 Butylated Hydroxyanisole n/a (a) Active dry yeasts (a) Preservative (a) 1,000 ppm n/a”

    canada.ca

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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