Cheeses
Great Value Sliced America cheese
16 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 55
Great Value Sliced America cheese scores 55 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 9 points Salt 2.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 13.2 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
-
Sharp Cheddar Deli-Sliced Cheese Happy Farms by ALDI · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Sliced Havarti Cheese Sargento · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Fresh Mozzarella Sliced Belgioioso · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Mozzarella Sliced Low Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese Sargento · 21 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Swiss Cheese Thin Sliced Andrew & Everett · 7 oz (199 g) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 90 out of 100 , 35 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Sliced America cheese
Ingredients
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 1.5 points
- Sodium phosphate minus 1.5 points
- Sorbic acid minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 13.2 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 2.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 263 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Protein 10.5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 45 = 55
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 263 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 21.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 13.2 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10.5 g |
| Sugars | 5.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 10.5 g |
| Salt | 2.5 g |
Serving: 1 slice (19 g)
Ingredients
- AMERICAN CHEESE (PASTEURZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES)
- SKIM MILK
- CREAM
- WHEY
- MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- MODIFIED FOOD STARCH
- APO CAROTENAL AND BETA CAROTENE (COLOR)
- CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
- CITRIC ACID
- DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS
- LACTIC ACID
- POTASSIUM CITRATE
- SALT
- SODIUM CITRATE
- SODIUM PHOSPHATE
- SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE)
- VITAMIN D3
Label text, as published
AMERICAN CHEESE (PASTEURZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), SKIM MILK, CREAM, WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF APO CAROTENAL AND BETA CAROTENE (COLOR), CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, LACTIC ACID, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), VITAMIN D3.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
-
“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
-
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