Ricotta cheese

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Ricotta cheese healthy?

Ricotta cheese scores 85/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the stronger scores in Scout's catalog. Ricotta cheese is made from whole milk, cream, lemon juice, and salt, which are all minimally processed ingredients contributing to its nutritional profile.

How processed is Ricotta cheese?

Ricotta cheese is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Ricotta cheese's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Whole Milk, Cream count in its favor. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Ricotta cheese

85 Excellent

Analysis updated June 2026 · How Scout scores

$2.99 · 15 oz · $0.20 / ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 0
Category Cheese
Summary

Ricotta cheese is made from whole milk, cream, lemon juice, and salt, which are all minimally processed ingredients contributing to its nutritional profile. The use of natural acids like lemon juice enhances its clean label, and the absence of harmful additives is a positive factor. However, as a processed food, its score is capped, reflecting its level of processing despite the high-quality ingredients.

Key ingredients 5

Whole Milk
Very Good

Whole milk provides essential nutrients like calcium and protein, making it a wholesome base for ricotta cheese.

See more about Whole Milk →
Cream
Good

Cream adds richness and healthy fats, enhancing flavor and texture without harmful additives.

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Lemon Juice
Neutral

Lemon juice is used as a natural acidifier, helping in curdling the milk without introducing harmful substances.

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Salt
Neutral

Standard formulation ingredient — neither beneficial nor harmful at typical use.

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Citric Acid
Neutral

Citric acid acts as a natural preservative and acidifier, maintaining product stability without negative effects.

See more about Citric Acid →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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