Pasteurized cheeses
Great Value Fiesta Blend Finely Shredded Monterey Jack, Cheddar Queso Quesadilla and Asadero Cheese
227 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 73
Great Value Fiesta Blend Finely Shredded Monterey Jack, Cheddar Queso Quesadilla and Asadero Cheese scores 73 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
-
New York Extra Sharp Cheddar Adams Reserve · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 97 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Sharp Cheddar Deli-Sliced Cheese Happy Farms by ALDI · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Sharp Cheddar Cheese British Organic Dairy Co. · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 97 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Monterey Jack Cheese with Jalapeño Peppers Sargento Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 91 out of 100 , 18 points higher -
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese Great Value · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 90 out of 100 , 17 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Fiesta Blend Finely Shredded Monterey Jack, Cheddar Queso Quesadilla and Asadero Cheese
Ingredients
- Natamycin minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 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 − 27 = 73
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 393 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 21.4 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: 0.33 cup (28 g)
Ingredients
- Monterey Jack cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto [color])
- asadero cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- quesadilla cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes)
- potato starch
- tapioca starch
- natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
Label text, as published
Monterey Jack cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto [color]), asadero cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), quesadilla cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), potato starch, tapioca starch, natamycin (a natural mold inhibitor)
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Plastic
Context only: no points in v1.
More pasteurized cheeses on GoodSwap
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Purified Drinking Water Great Value · 16.9 fl oz (500 mL) Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
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Quick Oats 100% Whole Grain Great Value · 510 g Score 100 out of 100 Excellent
Sources
-
11. List of Permitted Preservatives (Lists of Permitted Food Additives)
“B.2 Butylated Hydroxyanisole n/a (a) Active dry yeasts (a) Preservative (a) 1,000 ppm n/a”
canada.ca
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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