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Gouda Cheese

Common questions

Is Gouda Cheese healthy?

Gouda Cheese scores 85/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the stronger scores in Scout's catalog. Gouda cheese is made from milk, salt, enzymes, cheese culture, and annatto for color, which are all traditional ingredients in cheese-making.

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, 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

bettergoods
85 Excellent

Analysis updated October 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 2
Harmful ingredients 0
Owned by Walmart
Category Cheese
Summary

Gouda cheese is made from milk, salt, enzymes, cheese culture, and annatto for color, which are all traditional ingredients in cheese-making. The product is processed but maintains a clean label with no artificial additives or seed oils, allowing it to retain much of its nutritional value. The presence of annatto, a natural colorant, does not detract significantly from its quality, making it a solid choice within its category.

Key ingredients 5

Milk
Good

Milk is a primary source of calcium and protein, essential for bone health and muscle maintenance. It is minimally processed in cheese production, retaining most of its nutritional benefits. The quality of milk can vary based on the source, with grass-fed options offering additional omega-3 fatty acids.

Risks

Potential lactose intolerance or milk allergy in some individuals.

Benefits

Rich in calcium and protein, supporting bone health and muscle function. Provides essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12 and phosphorus.

See more about Milk →
Cheese culture
Good

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

Benefits

Contributes to the fermentation process, enhancing flavor and texture of the cheese.

See more about Cheese culture →
Salt
Neutral

Salt is used in cheese making for flavor and as a preservative. It is a refined ingredient without additional health benefits. Excessive consumption can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues.

Risks

High sodium intake can contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

See more about Salt →
Enzymes
Neutral

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

Benefits

Facilitate the cheese-making process and contribute to the development of cheese texture and flavor.

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Annatto
Neutral

Annatto is a natural colorant derived from the seeds of the achiote tree, used to impart a yellow-orange hue to cheese. It is minimally processed and generally considered safe. Annatto does not affect the nutritional profile of the cheese.

Risks

Rare cases of allergic reactions have been reported.

Benefits

Provides natural coloring without altering the nutritional content of the cheese.

See more about Annatto →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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