Gouda cheese

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

Common questions

Is Gouda cheese healthy?

Gouda cheese scores 80/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. Gouda cheese is a processed food with a relatively clean ingredient list, primarily composed of pasteurized milk and cheese culture, which provide essential nutrients like calcium and protein.

How processed is Gouda cheese?

Gouda cheese is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Gouda cheese's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture 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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Gouda cheese

80 Good

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

$5.49 · 7 oz · $0.78 / ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 0
Category Cheese
Summary

Gouda cheese is a processed food with a relatively clean ingredient list, primarily composed of pasteurized milk and cheese culture, which provide essential nutrients like calcium and protein. However, the presence of natamycin as a preservative raises some concerns about its impact on gut health, and the use of annatto for coloring adds to the processing level. Despite these factors, the cheese maintains a good nutritional profile with high protein content and minimal additives.

Key ingredients 6

Pasteurized Milk
Good

Made from pasteurized milk, this ingredient provides high-quality protein and calcium, supporting overall health and nutrition.

See more about Pasteurized Milk →
Cheese Culture
Good

The cheese culture helps develop flavor and texture, contributing beneficial probiotics that support digestive health.

See more about Cheese Culture →
Salt
Neutral

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

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Enzymes
Neutral

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

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Annatto (Color)
Neutral

Annatto is a natural coloring agent used to give cheese its characteristic hue, with no significant health impact.

See more about Annatto (Color) →
Natamycin (A Natural Mold Inhibitor)
Neutral

Natamycin helps prevent mold growth on the cheese surface, ensuring safety and extending shelf life without harmful effects.

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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