Cheeses
Earth Island Smoked Gouda Style Slices
20 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 54
Earth Island Smoked Gouda Style Slices scores 54 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 7 points Salt 2.3 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 6 points 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and modified starch. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cheese
-
Baby Swiss cheese slices Our Family · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Swiss Cheese Slices 365 Whole Foods Market Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Gouda cheese slices Gayo Azul · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 79 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Deli Sliced Hickory Smoked Gouda Cheese Emporium Selection · 8 oz Less salt · No seed oils Score 79 out of 100 , 25 points higher -
Natural Dutch Style Smoked Gouda Cheese Maple Leaf · 8 oz/226 g Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 79 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
Smoked Gouda Style Slices
Ingredients
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Potato protein minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 17.5 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 2.3 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 300 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
100 − 46.5 = 53.5 → 54
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated fat | 17.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 2.3 g |
Serving: 1 slice (20 g)
Ingredients
- WATER
- MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
- COCONUT OIL
- HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL
- SEA SALT
- POTATO PROTEIN
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- TAPIOCA MALTODEXTRIN
- NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR
- LACTIC ACID
- BETA CAROTENE AND ANNATTO FOR COLOR
Label text, as published
WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, COCONUT OIL, HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL, SEA SALT, POTATO PROTEIN, LESS THAN 2% OF: NATURAL FLAVORS, TAPIOCA MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR, LACTIC ACID, BETA CAROTENE AND ANNATTO FOR COLOR.
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- 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 - Lowfat cottage cheese The Kroger Co. · 24 oz/680 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 64 out of 100 Good
-
Quinoa fluor Vermont Creamery High in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 61 out of 100 Good -
Sliced Muenster Cheese Sargento · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 Good
More from Earth Island
Sources
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“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
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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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
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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
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“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