Cheeses
Lucerne Parmesan Cheese
28 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
Why it scores 67
Lucerne Parmesan Cheese scores 67 out of 100 (Good) 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 4.3 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 17.9 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
-
Parmesan Belgioioso · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 95 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
Parmesan Cheese Little Italy Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Sarvecchio Parmesan Sartori · 28 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Parmesan Cheese Kraft · 8 oz (226 g) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Parmesan Cheese Frigo · 28 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 85 out of 100 , 18 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients
- Powdered cellulose minus 2.5 points
- Natamycin minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 17.9 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 4.3 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 429 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 39.3 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 33.5 = 66.5 → 67
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 429 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 28.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 17.9 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 39.3 g |
| Salt | 4.3 g |
Serving: 0.25 cup (28 g)
Ingredients
- PARMESAN CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES)
- ANTICAKE (POTATO STARCH, POWDERED CELLULOSE) (not recognized)
- NATAMYCIN (MOLD INHIBITOR)
Label text, as published
PARMESAN CHEESE (CULTURED PASTEURIZED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), ANTICAKE (POTATO STARCH, POWDERED CELLULOSE), NATAMYCIN (MOLD INHIBITOR).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges The Laughing Cow · 8 × 19 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Low Fat Cottage Cheese Darigold · 113 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsMay contain traces of 1,4-dioxane Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
String Cheese Frigo Cheese Heads · 28 g High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese Friendly Farms · 15 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatSeed-oil free Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Organic Lowfat Cottage Cheese Trader Joe's · 454 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 67 out of 100 Good -
Original Recipe Hot Sauce with Cayenne Peppers, Original Recipe Pantry Basix · 10 fl oz/296 mL Score 98 out of 100 Excellent
More from Lucerne
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
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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