American cheeses
Kraft Singles American
16 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 55
Kraft Singles American scores 55 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.8 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 10.5 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cheese
-
Singles American H-E-B Organics · 8 oz (226 g) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Singles American Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product Hill Country Fare · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 83 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
American Grana Extra Aged Parmesan Cheese Belgioioso · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No calcium phosphate Score 79 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
American Cheese Organic Valley · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No calcium phosphate Score 79 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Organic American Singles Pasteurized Process Cheese Product Horizon Organic · 227 g Less salt · Less saturated fat Score 80 out of 100 , 25 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
American
Ingredients
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Modified starch minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Natamycin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 10.5 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 2.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 263 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Protein 15.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 45 = 55
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 263 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 10.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10.5 g |
| Sugars | 5.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 15.8 g |
| Salt | 2.8 g |
Serving: 1 slice (19 g)
Ingredients
- milk
- cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- whey
- milk protein concentrate
- milkfat
- calcium phosphate
- sodium phosphate
- modified food starch
- whey protéin concentrate
- salt lactic acid
- annatto and paprika extract (color)
- natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
- enzymes
- cheese culture
- vitamin d3
Label text, as published
milk, cheddar cheese (milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), whey, milk protein concentrate, milkfat, calcium phosphate, sodium phosphate, contains less than 2% of modified food starch, whey protéin concentrate, salt lactic acid, annatto and paprika extract (color), natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor), enzymes, cheese culture, vitamin d3
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More from Kraft Singles
Sources
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
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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
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“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