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Kraft Heese
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Cheddar cheese

Kraft Heese

226 g

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in saturated fat
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 72

Kraft Heese scores 72 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.

The Receipt

Heese

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 6 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [3]
  • Salt 0.4 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some salt. [4]
subtotal−3.5
TOTAL 72Good

100 − 28 = 72

Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]

GTIN 00021000055357 · 2026-04-23

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy110 kcal
Fat9 g
Saturated fat6 g
Carbohydrates1 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein6 g
Salt0.4 g

Serving: 0.25 cup (28 g)

Ingredients

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

Cheddar Cheese (pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto [color]), 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 Cheddar cheese 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. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  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

  8. 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