Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese

Common questions

Is Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese healthy?

Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese scores 85/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the stronger scores in Scout's catalog. This cheese is made from simple, traditional ingredients such as pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes, with annatto used for coloring.

How processed is Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese?

Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese's score?

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

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Sharp Cheddar-jack Cheese

Sargento
85 Excellent

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 0
Owned by Gentine family
Category Cheese
Summary

This cheese is made from simple, traditional ingredients such as pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, and enzymes, with annatto used for coloring. Despite being classified as ultra-processed due to its processing level, it lacks harmful additives and seed oils, which supports a higher score within its category. The clean ingredient list and absence of artificial additives contribute positively to its rating.

Key ingredients 5

Cheese culture
Good

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

Benefits

Contributes to the development of flavor and texture in cheese through fermentation.

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Pasteurized milk
Neutral

Pasteurized milk is a common base for cheese, providing essential nutrients like calcium and protein. The pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria but may also reduce some beneficial enzymes. It is a standard ingredient in cheese production with no significant quality indicators.

Benefits

Provides essential nutrients such as calcium and protein, which are important for bone health and muscle function.

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Salt
Neutral

Salt is used in cheese for flavor enhancement and as a preservative. It is a common ingredient in cheese-making, providing no additional nutritional benefits. Excessive consumption of salt can lead to health issues, but it is necessary in controlled amounts for cheese production.

Risks

Excessive salt intake can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.

Benefits

Enhances flavor and acts as a preservative in cheese.

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Enzymes
Neutral

Enzymes are used in cheese-making to coagulate milk, forming curds. They are essential for the cheese-making process but do not provide additional health benefits. The use of enzymes is standard in cheese production and does not pose significant health risks.

Benefits

Essential for coagulating milk and forming curds in cheese production.

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Annatto
Neutral

Annatto is a natural coloring agent derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, used to give cheese its yellow-orange hue. It is considered safe and does not affect the nutritional value of the cheese. Annatto is a natural alternative to artificial colorings.

Benefits

Provides natural color to cheese without affecting its nutritional value.

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Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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