Mexican cheeses
Organic Valley Finely Shredded 3 Cheese Mexican
170 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Certified organic
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 72
Organic Valley Finely Shredded 3 Cheese Mexican scores 72 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 5 points Salt 1.5 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points Saturated fat 17.9 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
-
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese Great Value · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 90 out of 100 , 18 points higher -
Mozzarella Shredded Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese Kraft Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 92 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
4 Cheese Mexican Sargento · 1 lb Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 92 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
MOZZARELLA shredded cheese Happy Farms · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 87 out of 100 , 15 points higher -
Fancy shredded Swiss natural cheese by SE grocers Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 98 out of 100 , 26 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Finely Shredded 3 Cheese Mexican
Ingredients
- Powdered cellulose 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 17.9 g / 100 g minus 4.5 points
- Salt 1.5 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 393 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 21.4 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 28.5 = 71.5 → 72
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 393 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 32.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 17.9 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 21.4 g |
| Salt | 1.5 g |
Serving: 1 portion (28 g)
Ingredients
- Organic sharp cheddar cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes)
- organic colby cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes, organic annatto)
- organic monterey jack cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes)
- cellulose (added to prevent caking)
Label text, as published
Organic sharp cheddar cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes), organic colby cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes, organic annatto), organic monterey jack cheese (organic cultured pasteurized milk, salt, vegetarian enzymes), cellulose (added to prevent caking).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More Mexican cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Mexican Style Cheese Blend Trader Joe's · 12 oz (340 g) High in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Mexican Style Four Cheese Kraft · 8 oz Ultra-processedNo synthetic dyes Score 74 out of 100 Good -
Mexican Style Blend Cheese Kroger · 32 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 77 out of 100 Good -
QUESADILLA Mexican Style Melting Cheese La Chona · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 71 out of 100 Good
More from Organic Valley
Sources
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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