Parmesan Cheese

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

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 product is processed and contains additives like potato starch and powdered cellulose, which are used as anti-caking agents but do not provide nutritional benefits.

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, 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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Parmesan Cheese

amazon grocery
Bioengineered
65 Fair

Analysis updated June 2026 · How Scout scores

$3.79 · 5 oz · $0.76 / ounce
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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 3
Harmful ingredients 0
Owned by Amazon
Category Cheese
Summary

This Parmesan cheese product is processed and contains additives like potato starch and powdered cellulose, which are used as anti-caking agents but do not provide nutritional benefits. While it includes high-quality ingredients such as Parmesan cheese and cheese culture, the presence of these additives and its processing level limit its score. The product is not as clean as traditionally aged Parmesan cheeses that avoid such additives.

Key ingredients 8

Parmesan Cheese
Good

Parmesan cheese is a natural source of protein and calcium, contributing to bone health and muscle function. It is minimally processed, maintaining its nutritional integrity.

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Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk
Good

This milk provides essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone strength while being lower in fat due to skimming.

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Cheese Culture
Good

Cheese cultures are beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion and enhance the flavor profile of the cheese naturally.

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Salt
Neutral

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

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Enzymes
Neutral

Enzymes are used in cheese production to facilitate curdling, and are generally considered safe and neutral in impact.

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Potato Starch
Neutral

Potato starch is used as an anti-caking agent or filler, with no significant health impact when used in small amounts.

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Powdered Cellulose
Neutral

Powdered cellulose is a plant-based additive used to prevent caking, and is considered safe and inert.

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Corn Starch
Neutral

Corn starch is a common food additive used as a thickener or anti-caking agent, with no notable health concerns in typical use.

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Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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