Cheeses
The Laughing Cow Pepper Jack Cheese
5.4 oz/154 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
Why it scores 66
The Laughing Cow Pepper Jack Cheese scores 66 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 7 points Salt 2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 2.5 points Milk protein concentrate / isolate: An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better spreadable cheese
-
Sonoma jacks gourmet cheese wedges pepper jack by dairy food Dairyfood Usa Inc. · 5 oz Not ultra-processed · No sodium hexametaphosphate Score 79 out of 100 , 13 points higher -
Boursin Cracked Black Pepper Soft White Cheese Boursin Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 13 points higher -
Shallot & Chive Spreadable Gourmet Cheese Boursin Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 13 points higher -
Spreadable Cheese Wedges Creamy Light The Laughing Cow · 16.3 oz/462 g Not ultra-processed Score 79 out of 100 , 13 points higher -
Shy Brothers Farm, Cloumage, Creamy Fresh Cheese Spread Shy Brothers Farm Llc · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 89 out of 100 , 23 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Pepper Jack Cheese
Ingredients
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Sodium hexametaphosphate minus 2.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 5.3 g / 100 g minus 2.5 points
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Protein 10.5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 34.5 = 65.5 → 66
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 132 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 7.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 5.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5.3 g |
| Sugars | 5.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 10.5 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 1 wedge (19 g)
Ingredients
- CHEDDAR
- SEMISOFT (not recognized)
- SWISS (not recognized)
- MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK AND PART-SKIM MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- WHEY
- MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- WATER
- SKIM MILK
- SODIUM POLYPHOSPHATE
- EACH: TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE
- DEHYDRATED GREEN AND RED PEPPERS
- CITRIC ACID
- SALT
- VITAMINS (CHOLECALCIFEROL [VITAMIN DJ AND VITAMIN A ACETATE).)
Label text, as published
CHEDDAR, SEMISOFT, SWISS, AND MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK AND PART-SKIM MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WATER, SKIM MILK, SODIUM POLYPHOSPHATE, LESS THAN 2% OF EACH: TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, DEHYDRATED GREEN AND RED PEPPERS, CITRIC ACID, SALT, VITAMINS (CHOLECALCIFEROL [VITAMIN DJ AND VITAMIN A ACETATE).
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 -
Sliced Colby Jack Great Value · 8 oz High in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Blueberry Cream Cheese Spread Philadelphia · 7.5 oz/212 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 33 out of 100 Poor -
Fiesta Blend Great Value · 16 oz/1 lb/453 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 79 out of 100 Good
More from The Laughing Cow
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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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
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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