Ricotta

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Common questions

Is Ricotta healthy?

Ricotta scores 68/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This ricotta cheese contains beneficial ingredients like pasteurized milk, which provides essential nutrients such as calcium and protein.

How processed is Ricotta?

Ricotta is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Ricotta's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Pasteurized milk, Pasteurized cream count in its favor; Potassium sorbate is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Ricotta

Western Family
68 Fair

Analysis updated July 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 1
Owned by Topco
Category Cheese
Summary

This ricotta cheese contains beneficial ingredients like pasteurized milk, which provides essential nutrients such as calcium and protein. However, it also includes synthetic additives like potassium sorbate and sodium hydroxide, which are used for preservation and pH adjustment but may be undesirable for some consumers. The product is moderately processed, which limits its score despite the presence of high-quality dairy ingredients.

Key ingredients 8

Pasteurized milk
Good

Pasteurized milk is a primary source of high-quality protein and calcium, essential for bone health and muscle function.

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Pasteurized cream
Good

Pasteurized cream adds richness and flavor, providing healthy fats and energy.

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Modified milk ingredients
Neutral

Modified milk ingredients are used for texture and consistency, with no significant health impact.

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Salt
Neutral

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

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Lactic acid
Neutral

Lactic acid is a natural preservative and acidity regulator, commonly used in dairy products.

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Sodium carbonate
Neutral

Sodium carbonate is used to control pH levels and improve product stability.

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Sodium hydroxide
Neutral

Sodium hydroxide is a food additive used for pH adjustment and processing purposes.

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Potassium sorbate
Bad

Synthetic preservative — flagged in daily-use products.

See more about Potassium sorbate →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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