Parmesan Cheese

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Common questions

Is Parmesan Cheese healthy?

Parmesan Cheese scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This Parmesan cheese is a processed food with a relatively clean ingredient list, primarily composed of cultured, pasteurized part-skim milk, which provides high-quality protein and calcium.

How processed is Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan Cheese is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Parmesan Cheese's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Parmesan Cheese, Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk count in its favor; Powdered Cellulose, Potassium Sorbate are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Parmesan Cheese

Publix
65 Fair

Analysis updated July 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 2
Owned by Publix
Category Cheese
Summary

This Parmesan cheese is a processed food with a relatively clean ingredient list, primarily composed of cultured, pasteurized part-skim milk, which provides high-quality protein and calcium. However, the presence of potassium sorbate, a synthetic preservative, slightly detracts from its overall healthiness. The product's processing level limits its maximum potential score, despite its beneficial nutritional profile.

Key ingredients 7

Parmesan Cheese
Good

Parmesan cheese is a natural source of protein and calcium, contributing to bone health and muscle function.

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Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk
Good

Part-skim milk reduces fat content while providing essential nutrients like calcium and protein.

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Cultured
Neutral

Cultured ingredients are used in cheese production to develop flavor and texture, with no significant health impact.

Salt
Neutral

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

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Enzymes
Neutral

Enzymes are used in cheese making to curdle milk, with minimal direct health effects.

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Powdered Cellulose
Bad

Powdered cellulose is added to prevent caking but is a processed additive with no nutritional benefit.

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Potassium Sorbate
Bad

Potassium sorbate is a preservative used to inhibit mold growth, but some consumers prefer to avoid artificial preservatives.

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Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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