Appetizers
Cheetos Crunchy
1 1/4 oz (34.5 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains seed oils
- Contains artificial flavors
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 59
Cheetos Crunchy scores 59 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 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial protein and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. Emerging
- minus 3 points Salt 0.8 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cheese puffs and curls
-
Crunchy Curls Trader Joe's · 6 oz (170 g) Not ultra-processed · No artificial flavors Score 76 out of 100 , 17 points higher -
Hippeas salt Hippeas · 5 oz/142 g Not ultra-processed · No artificial flavors Score 79 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Lightly salted baked green pea & chickpea puffs, lightly salted Watusee Foods · 23 g Not ultra-processed · No artificial flavors Score 92 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Peanut butter puffs Bamba · 7 oz/200 g Not ultra-processed · No artificial flavors Score 79 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Pirates booty Pirate's Booty · 6 oz/170 g Not ultra-processed · No artificial flavors Score 79 out of 100 , 20 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Crunchy
Ingredients
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 2.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Color added (not named) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 0.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 565 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
100 − 41.5 = 58.5 → 59
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 565 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13 g |
| Saturated fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Ingredients
- Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Falc Acid)
- Vegetable Gil (Corn, Canola, Sunflower On Cheese Seasoning)
Label text, as published
Enriched Corn Meal (Corn Meal, Ferrous Sulfate, Niacin, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Falc Acid), Vegetable Gil (Corn, Canola, and/or Sunflower On Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese (Milk Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes]. Canola Oil, Maltodextrin ([Made from Corn), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Whey Protein Concentrate, Monosodium Glutate, Lactic Acid, Citric Artificial Color [Yellow 6), and Salt. CONTAINS MILK INGREDIENTS.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More appetizers on GoodSwap
-
Goldfish Baked Snack Crackers Cheddar Pepperidge Farm · 1 oz (28 g) Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 43 out of 100 Okay -
Almond Flour Crackers Rosemary & Sea Salt Simple Mills · 4.25 oz High in saltContains seed oilsNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Sticks Pretzels Snyder's Of Hanover · 1 Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 30 out of 100 Poor -
Crackers - 6 Seed Top Seedz · 5 oz No additivesSeed-oil free Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Flamin' Hot Puffs Cheetos · 226.8 g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in salt Score 11 out of 100 Bad -
Sea Salt Pop'ums Light & Crispy Pretzel Snacks Snack Factory · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 48 out of 100 Okay
More from Cheetos
-
Crunchy Cheetos · 1 oz (28.3 g) Score 52 out of 100 Okay -
Flamin' Hot Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks Cheetos · 8.5 oz (240.9 g) Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Cheetos Mac 'N Cheese Flamin' Hot Cheetos · 5.6 oz (160 g) Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
Four Cheesy Cheetos Mac’N Cheese Cheetos · 5.9 oz/170 g Score 53 out of 100 Okay
Sources
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
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
-
21 CFR 101.22(k) Declaring color additives in the ingredient list
“Color additives not subject to certification and not otherwise required by applicable regulations in part 73 of this chapter to be declared by their respective common or usual names may be declared as “Artificial Color,” “Artificial Color Added,” or “Color Added””
ecfr.gov
-
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
-
“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