Salad dressings
Walden farms, blue cheese dressing
12 fl oz/355 mL
Score
- Not permitted in some countries
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 25
Walden farms, blue cheese dressing scores 25 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Titanium dioxide: EFSA (2021) could not rule out genotoxicity and could not set a safe daily intake, so the EU removed E171 from the list of permitted food additives in 2022. Regulatory
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
Capped at 25: Contains titanium dioxide, which is banned in food in the EU.
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better salad dressings
-
Blue cheese Dressing Reily Foods Company · 10 fl oz/296 mL No banned ingredients · Not ultra-processed Score 66 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing Marie's · 12 fl oz/354 mL No banned ingredients · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 58 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip Trader Joe's · 12 oz No banned ingredients · Not ultra-processed Score 59 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Lite chunky blue cheese dressing Ventura Foods L.L.C. · 12 fl oz No banned ingredients · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 62 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Madewith · 8 oz No banned ingredients · Not ultra-processed Score 79 out of 100 , 54 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Walden farms, blue cheese dressing
Ingredients
- Titanium dioxide minus 20 points
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 7.5 points
- Sodium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Sucralose minus 4 points
- Xanthan gum minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Potassium sorbate minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
100 − 72 = 28 → capped at 25
Capped at 25. Contains titanium dioxide, which is banned in food in the EU. [1]
Can’t score above 79. Contains titanium dioxide, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [25]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 2 Tbsp (30 ml)
Ingredients
- INGREDIENTS*:TRIPLE FILTERED PURIFIED WATER
- ORGANIC WHITE VINEGAR
- VEGETABLE FIBER
- SALT
- XANTHAN GUM
- CELLULOSE GUM (moderate concern)
- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (high concern)
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- MUSTARD FLOUR
- LACTIC ACID
- ONION POWDER
- GARLIC POWDER
- POTASSIUM SORBATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS)
- SODIUM BENZOATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS) (moderate concern)
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- CAYENNE PEPPER
Label text, as published
INGREDIENTS*:TRIPLE FILTERED PURIFIED WATER, ORGANIC WHITE VINEGAR, VEGETABLE FIBER, SALT, XANTHAN GUM, CELLULOSE GUM, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, NATURAL FLAVORS, MUSTARD FLOUR, LACTIC ACID, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, POTASSIUM SORBATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), SODIUM BENZOATE (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), SUCRALOSE, CAYENNE PEPPER
Allergens and diets
Contains: Mustard
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More salad dressings on GoodSwap
-
The Original Ranch Condiment & Dressing Hidden Valley · 16 fl oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Ranch Dressing & Marinade Primal Kitchen · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil free Score 70 out of 100 Good -
Classic Ranch Yogurt Dressing & Dip Bolthouse Farms · 12 fl oz/355 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 34 out of 100 Poor -
Oil-Free Vinaigrette Bragg · 12 fl oz/354 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsCertified organic Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
The Original Ranch Homestyle Hidden Valley · 2 × 1.18 L Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 32 out of 100 Poor -
Hidden valley ranch Hidden Valley · 80 fl oz/2.5 Quart/2.36 L Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 28 out of 100 Poor
More from Walden Farms
Sources
-
“titanium dioxide (E 171) can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive
“the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Considering the very low oral absorption of INS 171, and in the absence of any identifiable hazard associated with INS 171 in the diet, the Committee reaffirmed the ADI “not specified” established at the Thirteenth meeting.”
who.int
-
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report
“In summary, the Food Directorate's position is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive TiO2 is a concern for human health.”
canada.ca
-
Statement on the safety of Titanium Dioxide (E171) as a Food Additive (COT/2024/05)
“The Committee concludes that it is unlikely that there would be a risk to health from exposures of E171 TiO2 from the diet in any of the age groups or scenarios assessed.”
cot.food.gov.uk
-
Titanium Dioxide as a Color Additive in Foods
“Other international regulatory bodies including the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) have not agreed with EFSA’s assessment.”
fda.gov
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
-
Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
-
“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org
-
“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
-
“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)
“derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”
doi.org
-
Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
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
-
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
-
“By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate
ecfr.gov
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
Revocation of Authorization for Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food (89 FR 55040)
“This action is being taken because there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the continued use of BVO in food.”
federalregister.gov
-
“This order is effective January 15, 2027, except for amendatory instruction 4, which is effective January 18, 2028.”
federalregister.gov
-
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products
“cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following: (a) prohibited substances — prohibited substances listed in Annex II”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“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